MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Typically, WREG reports outside of 201 Poplar but on Tuesday, we ventured inside the state’s largest jail for a tour.

“It’s outdated,” said Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Sheriff Floyd Bonner. “It needs to be replaced. You saw what the officers and detainees are going through right now.”

At this time, there are more than 2,500 inmates in 201 Poplar, however, deputies say the jail is only built to house 2,400.

WREG cameras weren’t allowed inside but the Sheriff’s Office had cameras rolling during the tour.

WREG walked floor to floor and got a chance to see the conditions up close and learn more about how the jail works.

We saw large fans for very warm areas, specifically on the higher floors.

We also saw maintenance issues such as water leaks, rusting and overcrowding, leading to some inmates sleeping in cot-style beds.

“It makes tension rise all throughout the building,” Bonner said. “Staff works eight to 10 hours a day and go home but the detainees don’t. So, it adds to their frustration.”

Issues Sheriff Bonner says come with a building that’s over 50-years-old.

“It’s just time for us to really start talking about a more modern-type facility that’s built on modern standards from the jail because our jail is so old,” Bonner said.

Deputies told WREG that for every year that the jail is open, it ages three to four years.

Last month, a major overhaul started to replace more than 600 doors.

However, the next priority is a broken escalator that has not worked for years, which has forced inmates and employees to walk up all six floors.

“There has to be serious conversations,” Bonner said. “With a year and a half, a new jail won’t be completed that fast but we can talk about the new sheriff having a facility.”

A study is underway to look at the jail operations. Bonner said that should be done in the next few weeks.