Letter seeking end to federal monitoring of juvenile justice points to "incredible and solid reform"

A letter from local officials asking the U.S. Department of Justice to end its oversight of the county's juvenile court system offers an upbeat appraisal of improvements, but not everyone agrees with the assessment.

The letter, signed by Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell, Juvenile Court Judge Dan Michael and Shelby County Sheriff Bill Oldham, asks that the oversight be lifted in light of substantial progress in meeting the standards set by DOJ. The letter followed a Memphis visit last month by Attorney General Jeff Sessions during which the possibility of lifting oversight was raised.

In the eight-page letter dated June 9, Luttrell and the other signees point to "positive changes" that they say "continue and are lasting." Among the progress cited is $1.2 million spent on personnel and contract providers since 2013; another $1.5 million spent by the sheriff's department since 2015 on upgraded training, increased staffing, auditing and building a classroom, among other items; and a contract in effect since 2013 to provide around-the-clock medical care to youths housed in detention facilities.

The letter also notes that a facilities assessment is in progress to determine whether a new facility or renovation of the current juvenile court facility, built in 1935, would be more cost-effective.

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"Incredible and solid reform has been achieved ..." the letter concludes. "Thousands of hours and millions of dollars have been spent with the DOJ's attorneys and monitors in working through all aspects of the (Justice Department agreement). This work has created a road map for all other juvenile courts in the United States."

However, Josh Spickler, executive director of the local advocacy group Just City, remains unconvinced.

Spickler said Sunday he has received a copy of the full letter but still had not had time to read it in its entirety. But Spickler said he had looked through reports for monitors more closely, and the most recent reports "are less than conclusive that Shelby County is in compliance."

"These independent eyes and ears are nowhere near satisfied," Spickler said. "I don't imagine the letter is going to change our minds. The letter is a little tone deaf."

Federal oversight began in 2012 after a report found various failings in the system, including discrimination, unsafe confinement conditions and lack of due process.

It's unclear how soon federal authorities will make a decision on the request to lift oversight.