SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. — Juveniles detained in the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center will no longer be charged for calls made to their parents or guardians.
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris announced the new policy Monday and said it would go into effect immediately.
It makes a difference for families of juveniles, but not for people like Qwanesha Mabon, whose boyfriend has been in jail for around two months.
She went to 201 Poplar to load her boyfriend’s phone and commissary account Monday.
“It just cost for everything. I was just complaining about that when I was in there,” she said. “I put $40 on there, and they charged $5.40 because I used a credit card.”
Families usually take on the burden of paying for necessities for loved ones inside the jail.
“Children in the juvenile system should have no barriers to speaking to their parents,” Sawyer said. “We tend to forget those in detention are still kids who may be scared or depressed or lonely and need to talk to their family. Being poor should not prevent that from happening. I am pleased we’re eliminating these exorbitant charges to the kids.”
She also said the move would reduce recidivism.
Mayor Harris said a child’s ability to be connected to someone outside of the detention center helps them in their transition back to their homes and schools. He called the change in policy a “great first step in improving the circumstances for juveniles in the justice system.”
Attorney Josh Spickler deals with the criminal justice system every day. He’s an advocate for those in poverty and applauded the move. But he also hoped they continued to do more.
“For people on a fixed income, an additional $30 a month is a big deal. It’s a big decision not to have to pay that instead of your light bill,” he said. “We have 3,000 adults in out jail right now, or close to it. So they’re making phone calls at a much more rapid pace. The next step I hope we’re taking is to begin to talk about that.”
Commissioner Sawyer said she does want to reduce all of these fees in the future and thought this first move should give other families hope.
