Medium Security Institution

Activists with the Close the Workhouse campaign call on Mayor Lyda Krewson to close down the jail as she arrives for a segment on St. Louis on the Air.

As Campaign To Close The Workhouse Gains Support, Krewson Considers 'Repurposing' St. Louis Jail

Lara Hamdan

What started out as a viral video exposing the poor conditions detainees were facing inside St. Louis’ Medium Security Institution — also known as the…

Tonya Harry, the chief of security at the Medium Security Institution in St. Louis photographed on May 1, 2019.

Health, Science & Environment

'How Am I Gonna Handle Tomorrow?': Missouri Jail Officers At Risk Of PTSD

Shahla Farzan

Tonya Harry had been working as a correctional officer for about a year when she had one of the most traumatic experiences of her life.During her shift at…

An activist campaign calls on city officials to shut down St. Louis' medium-security jail, commonly known as the Workhouse.

Government, Politics & Issues

St. Louis Workhouse inmate died of fentanyl overdose, autopsy shows

Ashley Lisenby

The inmate who died at St. Louis' Medium Security Institution (MSI) in August died of an accidental fentanyl overdose, the autopsy report shows.Louis L.…

Government, Politics & Issues

Activists launch campaign to close the Workhouse, reduce St. Louis jail population

Carolina Hidalgo

Activists will rally Wednesday outside the City Justice Center of St. Louis to launch an effort to shut down the city's Medium Security Institution,…

About 1,000 people die in U.S. jails every year. Half of deaths are due to illness, according to federal statistics.

Health, Science & Environment

Medication denied: St. Louis inmates claim medical neglect in local jails

Shirletta Chambly has lost two family members in St. Louis jails: First her brother, and then her 21-year-old son.Maleek Coleman-Chambly died after a…

The majority of people housed at the Medium Security Institution in St. Louis do not have air conditioning. (July 19, 2017)

Government, Politics & Issues

ArchCity Defenders sues over conditions at St. Louis’ medium security jail

Rachel Lippmann

Updated November 13 at 3:30 p.m. with comments from attorneys and the city — A local legal nonprofit has sued the city of St. Louis, saying conditions at…

Inmates at the Medium Security Institution in St. Louis look out during a protest on July 22, 2017.

Health, Science & Environment

A trial, but not a speedy one: St. Louis inmates wait in jail four times longer than in the county

Jail inmates at the St. Louis County Justice Center in Clayton stay for an average of 59 days before their cases are tried or dismissed. But 10 miles…

People inside the Workhouse look out as protesters face off with St. Louis police officers. July 21, 2017.

Government, Politics & Issues

What’s the Workhouse? Here’s what you need to know about St. Louis’ Medium Security Institution

St. Louis’ Medium Security Institution, also known as the Workhouse, has been the target of protests and lawsuits for years, including for its lack of air…

Government, Politics & Issues

High heat, little AC at St. Louis jail worries activists; official says inmates cared for

Rachel Lippmann

Updated at 4:40 p.m. with state representative's request — Activists say this week’s near-record heat is dangerous for inmates at St. Louis’ Medium…

Samantha Jenkins was incarcerated for 67 days, unable to afford her own bail. In that time she lost both her jobs and housing.

Government, Politics & Issues

#BlackMamaBailoutSTL raised $13K to get moms out of jail for Mother’s Day

Updated May 15 with ongoing fundraising — The creators of #BlackMamaBailoutSTL — Arch City Defenders, the St. Louis Action Council, and Decarcerate St.…