Written By JR Robinson for the Will Richardson Campaign

Putting a jail in the heart of the New Chicago Box Town Memphis community is deeply wrong and profoundly unfair. Will Richardson, candidate for Shelby County Commissioner District 8, stands firmly with New Chicago in opposing this harmful proposal. It’s time for leaders to listen—where there’s a Will, there’s a way!

Community Voice Ignored

Residents have taken to the streets to demand a say in decisions that affect their lives. The idea that elected officials can dictate without proper inquiry shows a disregard for the democratic process. True leadership requires engaging with citizens, seeking input, and negotiating—not imposing decisions from above. Without genuine community consultation, this is not democracy; it is dictatorship. New Chicago’s residents have the right to decide their future, just like any other neighborhood.

Unfair Burden on Historic Black Neighborhood

New Chicago is a historically Black neighborhood, once thriving and now fighting for revitalization. Rather than honoring its legacy and supporting positive development, county leaders propose a jail—further stigmatizing and damaging a community that has already endured generations of neglect. The criminal justice system disproportionately burdens poor, Black communities, contributing to cycles of disadvantage and undermining social networks. Building a jail here compounds that injustice.

Social and Economic Harm

Research is clear: siting jails in residential communities breaks down social cohesion. It erodes trust, disrupts support networks, and destabilizes families—especially when residents cycle between incarceration and community life. Former prisoners often return to troubled neighborhoods, exacerbating existing challenges, increasing crime rates, and deepening poverty. Rather than fueling hope, a jail in New Chicago will accelerate social disorganization.

Effects on Property Values and Quality of Life

The presence of correctional facilities can negatively impact property values, even if some studies suggest the effect moderates over time. Residents fear, rightly, that stigma and public opinion will make it harder to sell homes, attract investment, and restore the neighborhood’s vibrancy. Quality of life suffers—not just from the direct risks of escapes or visitors, but from a pervasive sense of insecurity and loss of community pride.

Environmental and Health Consequences

Correctional facilities expose both insiders and nearby residents to environmental hazards—from pollution to noise—creating daily injustices that are rarely acknowledged. Communities near prisons and jails often endure tainted water, poor air quality, and hazardous waste, undermining their right to a healthy environment.

Long-Term Damage to Youth and Families

Placing a jail in New Chicago puts children and families at risk—not simply from proximity, but through normalization of criminal justice involvement. Young people growing up in the shadow of a jail are more likely to internalize feelings of stigma and hopelessness, perpetuating the tragic cycle of incarceration. Instead of investing in early conflict resolution, education, and opportunity, civic leaders send the message that future generations are destined for confinement.

Alternatives and Community-Led Solutions

Opponents have offered alternative ideas for the proposed jail site: public parks, playgrounds, economic development, and green space. These are investments that lift up communities, foster pride, and build resilience. Will Richardson’s vision stresses the need for common-sense crime solutions, youth support, and genuine partnerships between citizens and officials. A safer community is an engaged community, not a policed one.

Procedural Injustice

The rush to choose New Chicago for the new jail site, without transparent dialogue, is a procedural injustice. This is not just about where a building goes—it’s about who gets heard, who gets respected, and whose future matters. Decisions made behind closed doors deepen distrust and division. The project remains unsettled, but citizens vow to persist until their voices are central in the process.

Repurposing and Revitalization over Punishment

Across the nation, cities are repurposing correctional facilities, converting them into centers for community renewal. Investment in education, jobs, housing, and parks brings far greater value and safety than expansion of incarceration. Memphis should join this movement—envisioning a New Chicago where hope replaces handcuffs.

Will Richardson’s Commitment

Will Richardson’s campaign is rooted in justice, dignity, and opportunity. He has organized aid during crises, supported families in need, and shown what responsive, accountable leadership means. His promise: an open-door policy, true partnerships, and a commitment to fighting for those who too often go unheard.

Stand With New Chicago

The fight against the jail in New Chicago is bigger than one building—it is about claiming the right to define one’s own destiny. Every resident deserves safety, respect, and a future shaped by their own voice. No jail in New Chicago. #WhereTheresAWillTheresAWay

The struggle continues. Let’s keep fighting