St. Louis County Justice Center

Hayward’s first day as the commissioner of corrections at the St. Louis City Justice Center was Sept. 16. The New Jersey native spent over 32 years at the county jail and says he has an open door policy for activists.

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.

Acting Director Jonell Coleman has spent 25 years in correctional settings, including more than 15 years in St. Louis County.

Interim Commissioner Doug Burris sat down with STLPR reporter Lacretia Wimbley to discuss how he’s navigating his new role amid public scrutiny and pending lawsuits against the St. Louis City Justice Center.

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.

Inmates first received access to the tablets in October 2021. In the 14 months since, use of force by guards is down 40% and assaults on staff are down 60%.

The $300,000 grant will fund a team of researchers who will talk to corrections officers and jail residents to understand how racism and racial inequalities play out in the jail.

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.

Acting Jail Director Scott Anders has changed jail policies after the recent attacks against two St. Louis County Justice Center corrections officers.

Internal affairs investigators concluded that St. Louis County jail staff repeatedly didn’t listen to inmates who said they were sick and could have done…