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Residents urge county to end Wellpath contract after multiple jail deaths
Summary
Several public commenters recounted recent deaths at the Shelby County Jail and urged the commission to terminate the county's contract with Wellpath, alleging systemic medical neglect and delays in care. Speakers named specific cases and asked commissioners to pursue diversion and community-based mental-health alternatives.
Public commenters used the commission's public-comment period to deliver detailed allegations of medical neglect at the Shelby County Jail and urged the Board of Commissioners to end the county's contract with health-care vendor Wellpath.
Kevin Morales opened the comment block by listing multiple deaths he said were linked to poor care at 201 Poplar, saying, “Sam Carr died from the spread of bladder cancer after becoming ill in his cell at 201 Poplar.” Adam Nelson added a roster of cases and concluded, “To let them die from medical negligence is a moral failure we cannot accept. End the contract with WellPass.” Dylan Wheeler and others repeated similar allegations and urged commissioners to prioritize diversion to community treatment rather than jail.
Commissioners and staff listened but did not take formal action during the public-comment period. Several speakers said medical calls were ignored, medications were delayed, and families were not notified promptly; a Just City representative said her organization had documented staffing and clinical shortfalls in prior procurements and questioned why Wellpath had been ranked low in a past bid despite later being recommended. She urged the commission: “Do not book Wellpath again and terminate their contract immediately.”
The comments were framed as appeals for policy change rather than immediate administrative action; speakers repeatedly called for investment in mental-health services and community diversion to prevent people with behavioral-health needs from entering custody. Commissioners acknowledged the testimony and asked staff to provide procurement and contract details in subsequent committee meetings.
