Newly elected Shelby County Sheriff Anthony Buckner says improving conditions at the county jail and finding a long-term solution for the aging facility are among his priorities as he begins his tenure as sheriff.
Buckner discussed the future of 201 Poplar, jail staffing, immigration enforcement, and public safety this week on WKNO/Channel 10’s “Behind the Headlines” with host Eric Barnes and Daily Memphian reporter Bill Dries. Buckner, who has dedicated 25 years to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, took office as sheriff at the beginning of September.
On his first day in the role, Buckner invited members of the media to tour the jail in order to showcase both the challenges the facility faces and the repairs and improvements that have been completed. He explained that all ten escalators, which had been out of service for years, are now fully operational…