City Calls St. Louis Jail Complaints 'False,' Won't Let Attorneys in to Inspect
The city says its jails are well-run and, no, an incredulous group of civil rights attorneys can't visit to investigate dozens of accounts to the contrary.
Following an hours-long jailhouse revolt on Saturday that involved more than 115 inmates at the City Justice Center, the group of seven attorneys wrote to the city with concerns about "inhumane" conditions and reports of retaliation against detainees. The lawyers called for immediate improvements and asked to be allowed in to investigate.
"This ongoing crisis demands immediate action," read the letter signed by attorneys from the ACLU, Office of the Missouri Public Defender, ArchCity Defenders and the Roderick & Solange MacArthur Justice Center.
In response, City Counselor Michael Garvin flatly rejected any suggestion that inmates are being mistreated and ridiculed the attorneys' allegations.
Read more: https://www.riverfronttimes.com/newsblog/2021/02/12/city-calls-st-louis-jail-complaints-false-wont-let-attorneys-in-to-inspect