TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Oct 31, 2025

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said 225 inmates have been moved to the Penal Farm as overflow pretrial detention to combat overcrowding at 201 Poplar amid a federal law enforcement surge in Memphis, The Commercial Appeal reports. Harris said there were about 80 inmates at the facility in October 2024. “We would like for the Penal Farm to be separate and set aside for federal detainees and for those convicted of state crimes. But, as needed, we are able to flex some beds to take care of some of the overflow,” Harris said during a press conference Oct. 30. Harris declined to comment on the current population of the intake area at the jail but said all male arrestees are booked at 201 Poplar before staying there or being moved to the Penal Farm.