MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Behind locked doors, there is more to do for the court system that houses troubled youth.
The assessment of how Shelby County Juvenile Court is measuring up on protecting juveniles from harm is out.
In the report, locked up kids said they are often kept in confinement and are handcuffed and shackled when they are allowed out of their room.
Some even said they aren’t allowed to take showers everyday.
Juvenile Court officials were not available for an interview about the new findings.
Parents are talking.
“Everybody should be treated fair, whether they have been bad or not doing what they are supposed to, respecting authority. They should be treated like a human being you know,” said Dennis Ross of North Memphis.
The report is a part of a federally ordered reform program.
While Juvenile Court gets good marks for staff training, information exchange and youth program expansion, it faces challenges with juveniles having long stays in lock-up, being confined to their room, and the court not consistently documenting their information.
Coincidentally, earlier this week in Memphis, advocates with the National Juvenile Justice Network met to discuss the dangers of over incarcerating kids.
“We are here in Memphis to get together to learn about what happens here in Memphis and to share strategies and ideas so young people who get in trouble with the law are held accountable in ways that make sense,” said Sarah Byer with the Juvenile Justice Network.
As a child, Brenda Morris, spent time in Juvenile and said you have to look at both sides.
“It’s structured you know. They got to understand it is structured down here,” said Morris. “I think both sides need structure. The kids and the people who work here, because they get angry.”
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office has been over Juvenile Detention for the last year.
No one was available to comment, but they told us after the last report back in March they were working on strategies to deal with juvenile behavior.