St. Louis City Justice Center

The now-settled civil lawsuit stemmed from an incident last February in which the sheriff ordered a jail official’s handcuffing for denying access to a detained woman who said she was sexually assaulted by a deputy.

The suspect, who has been detained since 2024 in multiple criminal cases, has a history of behavioral problems.

Dozens of family, friends and supporters rallied outside the St. Louis City Justice Center on Wednesday evening and released balloons honoring Hayes’ life, calling for an end to in-custody deaths at the facility.

The guard was treated for injuries to his face. The investigation is ongoing.

An unidentified man in his 50s was pronounced dead Tuesday night at a local hospital after suffering a medical emergency at the jail, police say.

In 2022, Jessica Hicklin left prison with a fully operational tech company that she founded while she was there. Unlocked Labs is now available in prisons in five states and recently came to the St. Louis City Justice Center.

Understaffing, outdated facilities and poor management have led to filthy conditions for detainees in St. Louis.

After less than a year, Alfred Montgomery faces removal efforts, controversies and multiple lawsuits. But he came in with big goals for the St. Louis sheriff’s office.

In a Tuesday order, Circuit Judge Joan L. Moriarty cited a lack of staff at the City Justice Center — and subsequent reductions in detainee services — as reasons to require Sheriff Alfred Montgomery's office to immediately provide transportation to external medical providers.

The nonprofit behind the technology hopes to expand its reach further.