Just City

Just City We believe a smaller, fairer, more humane criminal justice system is possible for Memphis and Tennessee. Learn more 👉 https://www.justcity.org

Just City is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We work to transform local criminal justice policy and practice to ensure it is fair for all people regardless of wealth, race, or ethnicity. For more information, visit www.justcity.org.

TOMORROW!In partnership with Just City and the Shelby County Public Defender’s Office, Emily Galvin Almanza, an award-wi...
06/10/2026

TOMORROW!

In partnership with Just City and the Shelby County Public Defender’s Office, Emily Galvin Almanza, an award-winning public defender and author of the new book The Price of Mercy, will be in Memphis this week to discuss her book and meet with local public defenders about the work of Partners for Justice, the nonprofit organization she co-founded and directs.

The book takes readers behind the scenes of America’s criminal legal system and reveals how institutions that claim to protect us are doing the exact opposite. Partners for Justice employs a collaborative defense model that provides advocacy and support for public defender clients, resulting in demonstrably better outcomes and safer communities.

Join us for these two incredible events:

🗓️ TOMORROW: Thursday, June 11 @ 6 PM
đź“Ť novel. | 387 Perkins Ext.
đź“š Author Talk & Book Signing at .

🗓️ FRIDAY: Friday, June 12 @ 3 PM
đź“Ť | 204 N Second St
🎙️ Public Forum with Emily and Chief Public Defender Jerri Green. Continuing Legal Education credit is available for attorneys.

See you soon!

We are deeply saddened by the death of Coltral Pondexter, who passed away while in custody at the Shelby County Jail on ...
06/04/2026

We are deeply saddened by the death of Coltral Pondexter, who passed away while in custody at the Shelby County Jail on June 3, 2026, following what the Sheriff is saying was a medical emergency.

Coltral was booked on May 27th and was scheduled for a court appearance today, June 4th. He died in custody after just one week. This marks the 66th death at the Shelby County Jail since 2018.

Coltral was a client of the Memphis Community Bail Fund in 2025. We knew him as a person, not a number, and our hearts go out to his family, who currently do not know what happened to him. No one has informed them of the details of his death.

Medical care at the facility is provided by Wellpath, a company that filed for bankruptcy in late 2024 while facing over 1,500 lawsuits regarding medical neglect and wrongful deaths in correctional facilities across the country.

Every human being deserves adequate medical care. We call for a full investigation into Coltral’s care, immediate transparency for his grieving family, and accountability for the conditions that led to his death.

Rest in Power, Coltral.

06/03/2026

A $1,000 bail for theft of toilet paper ($70 total).

Criminalizing poverty is not justice.

Are we safe yet?

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!Just City and Novel are thrilled to host author Emily Galvin Almanza for a special book event!⏰ June...
05/26/2026

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Just City and Novel are thrilled to host author Emily Galvin Almanza for a special book event!

⏰ June 11th @ 5:30 PM
đź“Ť 387 Perkins Ext.

Join us as Emily shares insights from her powerful debut book, The Price of Mercy: Unfair Trials, a Violent System, and a Public Defender’s Search for Justice in America. As a former public defender, she pulls back the curtain on America’s criminal courts—revealing the truth behind closed doors and offering a blueprint for real reform.

Praised by Michelle Alexander as “a searing, compassionate, and utterly necessary book”

Features hard data, unforgettable stories, and dark humor.

Don’t miss this opportunity to meet the author and dive deep into one of the most important conversations happening today. It’s a conversation that will make us all better equipped for the fight.

Memphis. Shelby County. Our home.On May 7, Tennessee voted to split Memphis into three districts—diluting Black politica...
05/15/2026

Memphis. Shelby County. Our home.

On May 7, Tennessee voted to split Memphis into three districts—diluting Black political power. Days later, every Democrat in the Tennessee House was stripped of their committee assignments, removing every Black elected official from the rooms where laws are written.

Two moves. One goal: Remove Black voices from power.

For Memphis, this means less leverage against a criminal justice system that already treats us unfairly. Fewer advocates to protect bail reform or push for expungement. The people most impacted by incarceration pushed out of the process that governs their lives.

And H.R. 5213, 5625, and 6260 will benefit directly from this gerrymander.

These bills are moving through Congress for a vote this month. They threaten to roll back bail reform nationwide. With Shelby County’s representation gutted, we have fewer allies in Washington to stop them.

This is about who gets to decide the rules for our communities—from Nashville to Washington D.C.
Our voices matter. Our representation matters. Our community matters.

Today, the Tennessee General Assembly voted to split Memphis into three congressional districts, effectively diluting th...
05/07/2026

Today, the Tennessee General Assembly voted to split Memphis into three congressional districts, effectively diluting the power of Black voters in a majority-Black city. This is not just a political maneuver—it is racist. It is a direct attack on the political power of the marginalized communities that bear the weight of a criminal legal system designed to target them.

State lawmakers have stripped our community of the leverage we need to demand dignity, fairness, and systemic reform. When Black voters are silenced, the voices of those most impacted by incarceration and injustice are silenced. Memphis deserves representation.

Memphis deserves a voice.

05/06/2026

On May 21st, the state of Tennessee plans to execute Tony Carruthers. If Gov. Lee allows this, Tony will become the 8th person put to death since he took office less than eight years ago. But this ex*****on would mark a darker milestone: Tony will be the first person in nearly a century to be put to death after being forced to go to trial without an attorney. Denied counsel due to severe mental illness and convicted on the testimony of paid informants, his case represents a fundamental failure of our justice system.

We cannot let the state execute a man when critical DNA evidence remains untested and could prove his innocence. At Just City, we believe innocent people should never be incarcerated, and we stand with the ACLU, TADP, and Witness to Innocence to demand an immediate stay of ex*****on. Join us in calling for the commutation of Tony’s sentence and the forensic testing that must happen before it is too late. Link in bio to take action. 🔗

04/18/2026

We asked every candidate for Shelby County Sheriff one direct question: Would you keep the current 287(g) agreement with ICE or rescind it? Here are their answers:

• Brad Less: Keep
• Keisha Scott: Rescind
• Marco Yzaguirre: Keep
• Michael Pope: Rescind
• Ricky Pollard: Rescind
• Anthony Buckner: Rescind
• Reginald Hubbard: Rescind

This last week we sat down with the candidates to ask the questions our community wants answered ahead of the primary election on May 5th. Early voting ends on the 30th.

Hear the full context for each answer at the link in our bio.

04/17/2026

Closing out our interview series with Chief Deputy Anthony Buckner. He speaks directly on the critical issue of jail overcrowding, noting that post-conviction individuals still being housed at 201 Poplar is a major contributing factor.

We sat down with the candidates for Shelby County Sheriff to ask the questions our community wants answered ahead of the primary election on May 5th. Early voting ends on the 30th! ⏰

Listen to the full episode to hear his insights on the impact the task force has had on the jail population at the link in our bio. đź”—

04/17/2026

Continuing our conversation with Ricky Pollard, who speaks passionately about the need for transparency in the sheriff’s office. He outlines his vision for open communication and accountability with the community.

We sat down with the candidates for Shelby County Sheriff to ask the questions our community wants answered ahead of the primary elections. Early voting runs from the 15th through the 30th! ⏰

Listen to hear his full answer at the link in our bio. đź”—

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1000 S Cooper St
Memphis, TN
38104

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