ICYMI: Legislation aimed at DAs coming, jamming phones in prison proposed | The Week in Politics

Sen. Brent Taylor, a Republican representing Eads and parts of Shelby County and Memphis, said he will file legislation, as early as Monday, aimed at holding Tennessee District Attorneys more accountable.

The Commercial Appeal obtained the draft Senate resolution that "urges" the Supreme Court to create the panel, aimed at making the process of investigating, sanctioning and possibly removing DAs from office a seemingly nonpartisan one.

"We urge the Supreme Court to begin the process of drafting and adopting codes of conduct in the court rules for district attorneys general, district public defenders and court clerks," the document states.

The ask would not be limited to just DAs, but all court officials. Taylor said in a press conference Friday the timeline of implementation is dependent on the court.

The Commercial Appeal also obtained a letter addressed to Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Holly Kirby from both Lt. Gov. Randy McNally and Senate Judiciary Chair Todd Gardenhire, outlining the request to create the panel.

"While our state has a board of judicial conduct to investigate complaints about judges and issue appropriate sanctions, there is no current avenue for complaints about other elected officials in the justice system," the letter states. "As Speakers of the Senate and Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, we are asking you to create a panel of three to five individuals involved in the judicial process to evaluate recent alleged misconduct regarding three elected district attorneys general to see if any action needs to be taken to hold these officials accountable."

Local congressman asks for cell phone jamming in prisons

U.S. Rep. David Kustoff, a Tennessee Republican, and U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican, introduced a bill on March 26 that would allow state and federal prisons to jam cell phone reception.

The legislation, according to the press release, would prevent contraband cellphone usage in both state and federal prison facilities. Currently, it is against federal law to use cell phone jammers, which intentionally block, jam, or interfere with radio communications, according to the Federal Communications Commission.

"The extent of coordinated criminal activity carried out by inmates is a serious threat to public safety. As a former United States attorney, I have seen first-hand the dangerous effects of contraband cell phone use to both law enforcement officers and our communities," Kustoff said in the press release. "It should be impossible for prisoners to organize gang activity, traffic drugs, and coordinate any other wrongdoing from behind bars. The Cellphone Jamming Reform Act is commonsense legislation that will crack down on cellphones in prisons and protect inmates, guards, and the public at large."

The use of cell phones in prisons is illegal, but not uncommon. The Urban Institute, a national research organization focusing on policy solutions, reported that administrators within state prisons had recovered more than 25,000 cell phones in 2020. The Urban Institute estimated the number of actual cell phones in prisons was actually much higher since that number only accounted for recovered phones.

Though there have been instances of cell phones being used to coordinate crimes, inmates have also used them to share conditions in prison that outsiders would never be able to know. In 2023, The Marshall Project reported that inmates also used cell phones to further their education, for self-care, to earn additional income and connect with family or friends.

Shelby County Community Gardens plot applications open

The Shelby County Community Gardens opened up plot applications for the 2025-26 year. The applications will close on April 4, with the expected opening date for planting to be mid-April, according to a press release.

In 2021, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris reestablished the garden, though it has been around for the last 40 years. The first iteration of the garden only allowed senior citizens to participate. Now people of all ages are encouraged to lend their green thumbs.

The Community Garden is one of the few places in Shelby County where residents can garden on completely free land. The Community Garden is managed by the Shelby County Department of Parks and Neighborhoods.

There are approximately 400 plots with varying sizes. Most plots are approximately 25' x 100', with several smaller plots of 25' x 25' and a few mid-sized ones approximately 25' x 50', according to the press release.

When it is time for harvest, 90% of the fresh produce is donated to individuals in need.

The week ahead

The Shelby County Board of Commissioners will meet for its regular meeting on March 31, starting at 3 p.m. at the Vasco A. Smith, Jr. County Administration Building, located at 160 N. Main St. The public can tune in via the Shelby County Board of Commissioners YouTube channel.