John,
In the last two years, at least 10 people have died in St. Louis's jail — three in just the last 90 days. Jail should never be a death sentence. These 10 dead fathers, brothers, uncles, and sons were awaiting trial and hadn’t been convicted of any crime.
EJUSA, with other partners on the ground in St. Louis, is demanding accountability and transparency about what is happening inside St. Louis' so-called "Justice Center." Please join us!
This jail kills, but no jail helps us build a safer society. Warehousing individuals causes shame, isolation, and exposure to violence — factors that fuel violence. Instead of arresting and incarcerating, we should invest in proven community-centered programs that address the root causes of violence, and enable healing from past traumas — instead of causing new traumas. We must transform the criminal legal system and end mass incarceration. Demanding individuals don't die while awaiting trial is the absolute bare minimum.
Please join us and others on the ground in St. Louis to demand that conditions inside city jail be improved, those in positions of authority are held accountable for these deaths, and that no more innocent people die awaiting trial.
Thank you for your support and action.
