KMOX has reviewed documents showing at least nine times in the last two months, a judge has ordered the St. Louis City Jail to give detainees medical care, drinking water, basic hygiene items and access to a shower.
The orders were for seven different detainees. One detainee needed two orders in three days to receive access to a shower, hygiene items and drinking water and a third order a day later to receive medical care. All but one order has come from Judge Heather Hays.
While some of the orders had more than one request, of the nine total orders, six were for detainees to receive access to a shower, six were for access to medical care, five were for access to drinking water and three were for detainees to be given hygiene products. You can view each order KMOX reviewed below.
- 8/6/24: Shower and Water
- 8/6/24: Shower, Drinking Water and Medical Care
- 8/12/24: Medical Care
- 7/11/24: Medical Care
- 8/6/24: Shower, Hygiene and Water
- 8/6/24: Shower, Hygiene, Water and Medical Care, 8/8/24: Order #2, 8/9/24: Order #3
- 8/6/24: Shower, Hygiene Items and Water
Attorney Chet Pleban says while detainees often complain, it is telling that a judge found these complaints credible.
"If you have this many complaints in this short of a period of time, there is something going on, within the city of St. Louis, with the management of the justice center."
Pleban tells KMOX judges have better things to do with their time than deal with these problems.
"These are basic fundamental issues that the justice center should be providing without the need for a court on several different instances to tell them they have to do it."
Pleben says this shows there is a problem with how the jail is run.
"Perhaps the city needs to engage in a little introspection and look to see how it can improve their management system for that facility."
Criminal defense lawyer Will Goldstein says this comes as no surprise to him given the jail's history of problems.
"Obviously there is something that's gone terribly wrong with that particular jail."
Goldstein adds these judicial orders are not necessary in St. Louis County.
"I work with some of the officials in the County Justice Center. I know that these are not problems that we are hearing about, that people are suffering from, in St. Louis County."
In a statement sent to KMOX, Commissioner of Corrections for the city of St. Louis Jennifer Clemons-Abdullah says, "The Division of Corrections' policies are designed to protect the health and well being of every detainee. We understand that recent judge orders may raise concern. However, it is important to clarify that such orders are often based on specific, isolated circumstances. These cases are unique to the circumstances of the individual detainee involved and should not be viewed as reflective of our broader practices or protocols. We are committed to ensuring that such cases are treated with the utmost seriousness and that all necessary adjustments are made promptly to address the individual needs of detainees. The Division of Corrections will continue to work closely with the courts and healthcare professionals to ensure that all detainees continue to receive the appropriate care and attention they require."