At least 22 deaths linked to St. Louis City Justice Center since 2020 raise safety concerns

A joint review of death records revealed that at least 22 people have died while detained at the St. Louis City Justice Center since 2020, adding to a total of 49 deaths since the facility opened in 2002. The predominant factors were untreated medical conditions such as diabetes, drug-related overdoses, and suicides, which critics attribute to chronic understaffing, lack of clear medical protocols and insufficient mental-health supervision.

Experts like Dr. Fred Rottnek and Dr. Joseph Young describe a culture of neglect, noting instances where detainees harmed themselves to force hospital care. Commissioner Nate Hayward, the facility’s fourth leader in two years, says the department is focusing on faster identification of health emergencies and better coordination with clinicians. Advocacy groups and families call for a dramatic cut in the jail’s population and greater transparency about deaths, while lawsuits allege staff ignored pleas for help.