MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Four inmates at 201 Poplar are now dead.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of death for the most recent deaths.

“I don’t want to have to stand before these cameras in another week talking about another jail death,” said Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner.

Sheriff Bonner is putting it all on the table and addressing all the issues at the Shelby County jail.

Issues your news leader has been covering for years.

Chief Jailer Kirk Fields admits the jail is not a healthy environment.

“We’re committed to doing the best that we can but we need assistance,” Chief Fields said. “We need a new jail.”

This comes after the following four inmates died while in custody within one week: 41-year-old Justin Segerson, 22-year-old Sherman Weakley Jr., 33-year-old Darian Nolen, and 57-year-old Darin Crawford.

The sheriff’s office says Segerson’s death may have possibly been an overdose.

Weakley reportedly died by suicide.

Nolan died after he was taken to the hospital due to an apparent change in mental status.

Crawford died after he was found unresponsive in his cell.

Nolan’s and Crawford’s direct cause of death is still under investigation.

“Mental health and substance abuse issues that take place in the community are magnified in a jail cell,” Chief Fields said.

Friday night, Sheriff Bonner directly acknowledged the problems with the jail such as overcrowding, poor living conditions, frequent maintenance issues, and increasing tensions between staff and inmates.

He said it’s time to have serious conversations about building a new jail.

“A jail ages anywhere between three to four years for every year of usage. So, technically our jail is 160 years old,” Chief Fields said.

Along with an aging facility, Bonner said low manpower has become one of their biggest safety concerns.

The sheriff’s office says despite ongoing efforts to hire more officers, they are down 300.

Last week, the sheriff’s office announced that corrections deputy Bianca Grandberry was indicted on multiple charges after an investigation revealed she allegedly was involved in an inappropriate relationship with an inmate.

Bonner says despite a shortage, there will always be consequences for employees who break the rules.

“When it comes to an officer bringing drugs in this jail or any jail, there is no comprising. We will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law,” Sheriff Bonner said.

Sheriff Bonner says they are looking at national experts to look at the jail operations.