NAACP members voice issues with “direction of the county commission”
JACKSON, Tenn. — A day after the Madison County Commission narrowly approved moving forward with plans for a new jail, the Jackson-Madison County Chapter of the NAACP held a news conference to voice its members displeasure.
Tuesday, members made it clear, they do not agree with the $210,000 allocation approved by the commission. The expenditure is just the first of many expenses if the jail or an expansion is ultimately approved by county leaders.
The NAACP said it opposes the decision, calling it a “destructive investment in the future of our community.” Members maintain in the wake of the Jackson-Madison County School System closing down five schools this academic year and the commission now considering spending a large amount of money on a jail, it shows a “misalignment of priorities.”
The NAACP said it would instead like to see investments made in education and rehabilitation services, instead of incarceration.
Members said they plan to continue to educate the community about their stance in hopes of changing the direction of the commission.
