Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Public commenters urge Shelby County commission to terminate Wellpath jail contract after series of in‑custody deaths
Summary
Multiple public speakers read lists of people who died in Shelby County custody between 2018 and 2026 and demanded the county end its contract with jail medical provider Wellpath, create mental‑health diversion before booking, ensure timely medications and outdoor time, and establish community oversight.
Hundreds of names and pleas for accountability filled the public‑comment period at the Shelby County Board of Commissioners meeting as residents urged commissioners to end the county’s contract with jail medical services provider Wellpath and overhaul care for people in custody.
Adam Nelson opened the string of speakers by reading 15 names of people who died in custody between 2018 and 2026 and said “we demand that the county immediately terminate the contract with Wellpath and never renew it.” Ethel Kilgore Ball, who identified herself as a co‑chair of Micah’s…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
