Protests erupted at St. Louis City Hall on Friday in response to a persistent issue just across the street.
Protests erupted due to the deaths and state of detainees at the St. Louis City Justice Center, causing an abrupt halt to Friday’s Board of Alderman meeting.
Protesters chanted as they marched around the City Hall rotunda, with signs hanging over Aldermanic chambers that read “NO JAIL DEATHS.”
Some aldermen remained present to engage in conversations with the protestors regarding their demands, including the absence of a hearing concerning the tragic death of a woman who allegedly took her own life a few months ago.
The protestors are demanding that St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones take immediate action to improve jail conditions. They are also calling for steps to be taken to enhance detainee healthcare, a thorough review of detainee grievances, and the granting of access to the detention facility oversight board.
“One of the protestors, Mike Milton, expressed his concerns by stating that the authorities have the power to eliminate the 23-hour lockdowns. Additionally, he emphasized the urgency to enhance medical care, as there is a significant number of individuals eagerly awaiting medical attention. Another crucial issue that needs immediate intervention is the discontinuation of water shutoffs.”
Charles Coyle, the Director of Public Safety, acknowledges that significant changes have been implemented to enhance the safety of detainees.
“We have seen several improvements since last year,” stated Coyle. “Regrettably, our first death occurred in August of this year. However, we have made corrections to ensure the well-being and safety of the detainees entrusted to our care.”
The City Justice Center has been grappling with staffing issues for quite some time now, as emphasized in the Missouri State Auditor’s report released in August.
Coyle admitted that he has had a chance to review the report, but he has not thoroughly examined its contents. He expressed his belief that the jail currently maintains a sufficient number of staff members who are capable of effectively managing the detainee population.
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