ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones released a statement late Monday afternoon following this past weekend's CJC death of 32-year old Juwon Carter.
"Last weekend, I was upset to learn of the passing of Juwon Carter, a detainee at the City Justice Center. I want our communities to know: I hear your concerns regarding recent medical emergencies at the CJC. Public health and public safety are intrinsically connected, and we must ensure that our services are responsive to the underlying needs of those in the City’s care.
"Providing responsive health care at the Justice Center is a top priority. While the City continues the search for a new health care provider for the CJC, I am calling for the creation of new positions in the City of St. Louis Department of Health, including a Chief Medical Officer, specifically to oversee medical operations and services at the jail.
"Creating the Chief Medical Officer position builds off my previous work at the Justice Center to reassess the services the facility provides and improve them. In 2021, the City commissioned a review of the facility and identified areas for improvement. In June of this year, the City sued our provider and we currently have a request for proposals for a new healthcare provider for the facility. In September, we delved into deeper policy review and assessment of medical oversight. Last but not least, we are in conversation with the State and other partners to quickly address issues with detainees who are deemed incompetent to stand trial, and we are working to get more mental health care providers in the facility."