Close the Workhouse

The new report includes community suggestions for the riverfront building and surrounding 30 acres.

St. Louis officials plan to use part of the Medium Security Institution known as the Workhouse as a temporary holding facility after most inmates are moved this week. Public Safety officials said they’ll use the Workhouse if the City Justice Center becomes too crowded.

Several members of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen are criticizing the city’s plan to close the Medium Security Institution known as the Workhouse in coming weeks. Some expressed concerns that moving inmates from the Workhouse to the St. Louis City Justice Center could lead to overcrowding.

St. Louis Corrections Commissioner Dale Glass will resign from his position on June 1, following months of criticism over the management and condition of the city's jails.

Kayla Reed shares what she saw at the City Justice Center and the Medium Security Institution, better known as the Workhouse — and what she hopes city leaders will do with those observations.

Closing the north St. Louis jail is a top policy priority for Mayor Tishaura Jones.

Des Moines-based social and environmental justice art activist Jordan Weber uses sculptures, installations and green spaces to focus on institutional and environmental racism. Weber spoke to St. Louis Public Radio’s Chad Davis to discuss his latest project and how his work fuses art and activism.

A nonbinding referendum on closing the north St. Louis jail known as the Workhouse will not be on the April ballot after Mayor Lyda Krewson failed to take action in time.

Mayor Lyda Krewson vetoed an effort to undo a planned reduction of wards from 28 to 14. Opponents of the cut do not have time to attempt an override.

The head of St. Louis’ corrections department is warning that closing the north St. Louis jail known as the Workhouse could cause overcrowding at the city’s other jail downtown.