This year marks five years of the Justice & Safety Alliance (JSA). Since 2021, our coalition has worked to change the narrative on public safety, advance police accountability, reform our jail and legal systems, support youth justice, and promote healing-centered approaches to public safety across Memphis and Shelby County.
We lead our work through four workgroups: Police Accountability, Jail & Bail Reform, Youth Justice, and Healing Justice, and we bring together advocates, directly impacted community members, and partner organizations to turn ideas into action. Whether you’re new to JSA or have been with us since the beginning, we’d love to have you join a workgroup and help shape what’s next!
As we enter the next chapter of JSA’s work, we’re excited to launch this newsletter to share coalition updates, spotlight our partners, highlight opportunities to get involved, and keep you up to date about the issues shaping justice and public safety in our community.
Thank you for being part of this movement.
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JSA in Action: Sheriff’s Platform
The Shelby County Sheriff oversees the county jail, court security, patrol operations, and warrant service—making this one of the most important local offices on the ballot.
JSA developed this Justice & Safety Sheriff’s Platform to set a clear vision for what our communities need from the next Sheriff. Read it, share it, use it to evaluate the candidates, and help hold our next Sheriff accountable once he’s in office.
Read the full Sheriff’s Platform here!
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JSA in the Community: Juneteenth
We were proud to join the 33rd Annual Douglass Freedom Festival for a weekend of community, culture, and celebration. Alongside JSA partners Just City and Memphis For All, we connected with hundreds of attendees to share our vision for a safer Memphis where we’re all free to not only survive, but thrive.
Events like the Douglass Juneteenth Festival help us build relationships, spark conversations about justice and public safety, and expand whose voices get to shape the future of Memphis. Thank you to everyone who made the Douglass Freedom Festival possible – we’re grateful to have been part of this year’s celebration!
If you couldn’t make it, you can get a jumpstart on funding the 34th annual Freedom Festival here.
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On our Radar: Current Events
Model Cities Initiative
The federal government recently proposed a “Model Cities Initiative,” misguidedly citing the Memphis Safe Task Force as a model for other cities to replicate. JSA does not support expanding this approach to public safety.
We’re keeping a close eye on this initiative and will continue making the case that any federal funds available to cities around the country should strengthen community violence intervention, youth opportunities, housing, mental health, and other proven strategies that prevent harm; not fund more policing or tie public safety to immigration enforcement.
Jail Healthcare & Accountability
Inhumane conditions inside the Shelby County Jail are still a serious concern.
Our partners at Just City are leading the push for a new medical provider, stronger accountability, and meaningful action after 66 deaths in custody since 2018. We’ll continue supporting efforts to ensure every person in government custody receives safe, humane healthcare.
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Partner Spotlight: Tennesseans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty
This month, we’re spotlighting Tennesseans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (TADP) for their tireless work to stop the execution of Tony Carruthers and build a justice system rooted in accountability, dignity, and fairness.
After the Tennessee Department of Corrections spent 90 minutes in a torturous and failed attempt to execute Tony, Governor Bill Lee issued a one-year reprieve. Tony’s case raises serious concerns about due process after he was forced to represent himself at his capital trial without legal counsel. Had the execution gone forward, he would have been the first person in more than a century executed in the United States after being forced to represent himself.
Tony’s ordeal also underscored concerns raised in ongoing litigation challenging Tennessee’s 2025 lethal injection protocol. The lawsuit alleges serious flaws in the state’s execution procedures, which we saw play out during Tony’s failed execution attempt.
With Tennessee planning to execute Darrell Hines on August 13, TADP is now calling on Governor Lee to issue a reprieve while that litigation continues. After suffering multiple strokes earlier this year, Darrell is severely incapacitated and lives in the prison infirmary.
Join TADP in calling for a reprieve for Darrell Hines and continue building a justice system that values human dignity over state violence: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/please-grant-reprieve-to-darrell-hines/
For years, TADP has organized Tennesseans across faith communities, advocacy organizations, and impacted families to oppose executions, support clemency efforts, educate the public, support victims of violent crime, and advocate for alternatives to the death penalty. Learn more and get involved at tennesseedeathpenalty.org
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Upcoming Events
Voter Registration at Juvenile Court
Tuesdays @ 9:00 AM
Join the Shelby County Voter Alliance (SCVA) every Tuesday through August 4th for voter registration and civic engagement at Juvenile Court. Register here!
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Make Them Known: A Vigil for Lives Lost in 201 Poplar
Saturday, August 1 @ 6:30 PM
Honor the lives of people who have needlessly died while in custody and stand with community members calling for humane jail conditions and accountability. RSVP here.