Several city leaders spoke out after 117 inmates on Saturday took over the majority of the St. Louis City Justice Center’s fourth floor, smashing windows and setting fires in what is now the third inmate protest in the last six weeks at the jail.
St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, who is not running for reelection, tweeted about the incident.
“Very dangerous and violent situation this morning at the City Justice Center,” she wrote. “I’m grateful to hear that our corrections officer who was attacked and sent to the hospital will be okay. All those involved remain in custody with some being transferred.”
Below is a list of other leaders’ statements.
Mayoral candidates
St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura Jones released a statement reiterating her stance that St. Louis is not a poor city, but a cheap city. She called for a community-first approach in public safety.
“The incident this morning at the City Justice Center (CJC) is an indictment of our entire criminal justice system — a system that has inhumanely housed inmates and prisoners in the midst of a global pandemic without the necessary supplies to keep themselves safe,” she wrote. “The criminal justice system, as we know it, does not value the lives of the people it is responsible for housing. We must imagine a new way forward — equipped with new strategies, dedicated resources to keeping people out of the justice system, and compassionate leadership.”
Aldermanic President Lewis Reed said his first concern was for the safety and security of the inmates and the employees of CJC.
“I am glad that the Public Safety Director was able to utilize the existing space at MSI to house some of the detainees and diffuse the situation,” Reed wrote. “I commend the Mayor and the Director of Public Safety for taking swift action and safely de-escalating the dangerous situation. This instance further demonstrates why it would have been morally and ethically irresponsible to ignore the recommendations of the Corrections Commissioner and force the closure of MSI by December 31. It would have further jeopardized the safety of the detainees and the employees just to meet a specific timeline.”
Business executive Andrew Jones said in his statement Saturday night that he’s on board with closing the Workhouse if a thorough analysis of the facility is done. He also maintains there needs to be a comprehensive analysis of both the CJC and the Workhouse at the beginning of his potential mayoral term.
“Not only does the CJC appear to be unsafe for some inmates, the inability for the doors to lock leaves it unsafe for the staff of the center as well,” he wrote. “As simple as this seems, I feel the need to state this since the current administration has clearly not come to the same conclusion: you cannot have an operational jail without locking cells.”
Other leaders
St. Louis Comptroller Darlene Green released a statement calling for an investigation.
“Saturday’s protest at the City Justice Center was shocking. I call for a full and thorough investigation into what led to the disturbance; and an immediate course of action to improve security at CJC,” Green wrote in a statement. “Something is terribly wrong when we have multiple incidents in just a few weeks. Additionally, we owe all people held in custody humane treatment and proper protective equipment in this pandemic environment.”
She is running unopposed in the April municipal election.
U.S. Rep Cori Bush, D-Missoui, also released a statement. She said the protests occurring at the City Justice Center must be addressed immediately and said St. Louis’ jails have long been notorious for their unsafe and unsanitary conditions.
“We have an incarceration crisis. To date, 1 in 5 incarcerated people nationally has tested positive for COVID-19, including many across the City of St. Louis. I am concerned that the conditions for people who are incarcerated pose serious risks to their health, safety, and wellbeing as well as that of those who work there, she wrote. “I am calling for complete transparency and accountability from the city of St. Louis. Officials must publicly disclose the city’s COVID-19 testing protocols, case rate and hospitalization data, vaccination plans, use of solitary confinement, and transfer procedures for its local jails.”
Missouri State Rep. Kimberly-Ann Collins, D-District 77, said she understands the uprising built up because of the lack of proper services given to inmates over the years.
“Simply because these individuals are incarcerated does not negate their inalienable right to decent living conditions and access to healthcare while incarcerated”, she wrote.
“Changes made to our justice system and the lives of those incarcerated can no longer wait. Frustration has overflowed into a protest which requires us to pay attention and create necessary changes and support systems.”
District 77 covers portions of the Central West End, Forest Park Southeast, Greater Ville, O’Fallon Park and Near North Riverfront neighborhoods.