MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Some Shelby County leaders are expressing outrage at a U.S. Department of Justice decision to end its oversight of the juvenile justice system there.
The department announced the move Friday, and some Shelby County commissioners told The Commercial Appeal they first learned of it through media reports.
“This underhanded decision, this underhanded move just really makes me wonder whose children matter,” Commissioner Tami Sawyer told the paper. “And until we can see that all kids do matter, that black and brown kids matter in Shelby County, we’ll have to continue to fight.”
The agreement began in 2012 after an investigation found that Shelby County discriminated against African-American children, had unsafe confinement conditions and failed to provide due process to youth. In early October, representatives of juvenile court said a number of the issues identified in 2012 remained unresolved.
“We’re talking about African-American and Latino children who are in the system, and they’re being unfairly treated,” Commission Chairman Van Turner said. “For them to pull oversight at this juncture - it should trouble everyone in this county.”
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said decision to end oversight is an acknowledgment of the good work that has been done at juvenile court. He said the work of fixing disparities in the system will continue at the local level. On Friday, Harris noted, only 45 youth were detained - a historic low.
A news release from the Justice Department on the decision quotes Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore of the Civil Rights Division. “Shelby County made commendable efforts to improve its juvenile justice system,” he said. “The Department is pleased to see Shelby County and its local elected officials embrace and show public commitment to continuing the reforms it has made.”
Bill Powell, a former coordinator over the agreement for the county, said he was very surprised and disappointed by the announcement.
“I think that it’s purely a political move,” he said.
___
Information from: The Commercial Appeal, http://www.commercialappeal.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.