Council requires special-use approval for correctional facilities after New Chicago protests

The Memphis City Council voted Feb. 24 to amend the city’s development code so that correctional facilities — including detention centers, jails and prisons — would require special‑use approval from the council before being sited within city limits.

The ordinance (Ordinance No. 5958) was sponsored by Councilwoman Doctor Easter Thomas and cosponsors and came after dozens of residents and community leaders urged the council to block a proposed jail site in New Chicago. Zoe Dondelinger and other commenters said placing a new jail in New Chicago would compound racial and social harms; one speaker cited Department of Justice findings relating to local policing dynamics after Tyre Nichols’ death.

Councilwoman Easter Thomas said the zoning amendment would "require correctional facilities to be under special use approval by the Memphis City Council" and would remove by‑right allowances across the city, giving neighborhoods a formal review process and public input. "The jail proposal in New Chicago exposed a problem that we needed to make city government and our zoning code work better for the people," she said.

Several residents reported petitions and signatures opposing the jail; Dr. Carnita Atwater said community stakeholders had submitted some 12,000 signatures opposing the ordinance’s prior form and warned of legal challenges if the council acted against community wishes.

The council recorded a roll‑call vote and the ordinance passed; Councilwoman White was recorded as recused on the vote. Council members said the change reflects legislative intent to give local residents more say over siting decisions for facilities that have long-term neighborhood impacts.

What happens next: The ordinance changes the zoning code; future proposals for correctional facilities within Memphis will be subject to special-use review before the council, which will provide a public hearing and formal findings.