St. Louis County Jail

Susan Martin’s son is detained at the Buzz Westfall Justice Center and says he’s experienced frequent flooding inside the jail, as well as poor mental health after being allowed just one hour of recreational time a day.

Inspectors from the American Correctional Association recently found the building was riddled with issues including inoperable eye wash stations, as well as dirty cells and dayrooms.

Jonell Coleman shared a proposed 2026 budget with the St. Louis County Council Budget Committee on Tuesday. She also reported the need for more staff, greater staff training and mental health resources, as well as new clothing for residents.

The Clayton facility houses over 1,300 inmates and is the only ACA-accredited jail in Missouri. Inspectors will return in three months to check for compliance.

County officials say the online payments are part of an effort to transform how to pay bond and will save people a trip to Clayton.

City public safety officials say their reporting of jail deaths earlier this year excluded one person because that individual was arrested but not considered a detainee at the city jail.

The cohort of female detainees at the St. Louis County Jail are participating in Missouri's only hands-on beauty training program for those who are incarcerated.

The people imprisoned were supposed to receive rehabilitative mental health services that allow them to stand trial, but they have been found to languish in jails — often for months — without having been found guilty of any crime.

The St. Louis County Department of Justice Services and St. Louis Community College are offering inmates college classes to help them earn an associate degree. Jail officials say the degree program can help get some inmates back on their feet once they are released.

The report by the consulting firm CGL Companies found a clean, orderly and safe facility. The review attributed much of the challenges the jail still faces to understaffing.