MEMPHIS, Tenn. — With more state troopers patrolling Memphis-area roads and a looming National Guard deployment, the county’s criminal court clerk is warning about the ability of the jail and courts to handle an influx of detainees.
General Sessions Court Clerk Tami Sawyer spoke to Shelby County Commissioners on Wednesday, describing conditions inside the county jail complex at 201 Poplar.
“Right now, we are at what is considered a critical level, level 5,” Sawyer said. “As of this morning, there are more than 200 people in intake and, as you all know, we have been without air in the jail annex since Saturday.”
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Sawyer said temperatures inside are 95-100 degrees. Detainees are awaiting release wearing cold rags, “just trying to survive,” Sawyer said…