ST. LOUIS, Mo. – St. Louis may have cell phone jamming technology headed to the City Justice Center.
Correctional Commissioner Jennifer Clemons-Abdullah revealed the plan during a one-on-one interview with FOX Files Investigator Mitch McCoy.
She said the technology would prevent cell phone usage in the City Justice Center (CJC), but it’s something the federal government would have to approve, which she said, she’s waiting on.
“We’re trying to get the permission to get cell phone jammers because inmates are getting cell phones in and it’s just been problematic and helps facilitate their drugs and the drugs coming into the facility,” Clemons-Abdullah said.
Clemons-Abdullah recently implemented a policy that prevented attorneys from bringing in their cell phones, a policy she faces criticism for. She said that’s something she continues to evaluate.
Clemons-Abdullah said other safety improvements are underway. The CJC has one body scanner and is in the bid process to buy additional body scanners, which can detect drugs.
“We’re coming up with some new scanners too more like metal detectors, to detect shanks, anything that could be detrimental,” Clemons-Abdullah said.
The center recently upgraded its HVAC and fire suppression system which she said plays a critical part in detecting drug usage.
“It’s a slow progress, it’s like trying to turn a tanker around like you’re driving in the military,” she said.
While the city will tout some of the security improvements, Clemons-Abdullah did not grant the FOX Files access to see the upgrades.
“It’s not necessarily the grandmothers that are listening. It’s the grandmothers talking to their grandsons and granddaughters,” she said. “We don’t mind the taxpayers knowing, we do mind the taxpayers knowing the integral internal workings of things.”
Sources inside the CJC said mandated overtime pushes correctional officers to work at least an additional four hours on top of their scheduled shift.
“It’s just a common practice. Security of the building is first and foremost and we just want to make sure everyone is safe, and everybody is doing what they’re supposed to do,” Clemons-Abdullah said.
Clemons-Abdullah said there are more than 100 vacancies, a number she has never revealed until now.
“I have been hesitant, but in doing the numbers, I figured out that we have more inmates, so therefore we needed more staff,” she said.
In an effort to recruit candidates, the CJC and Department of Public Safety produced multiple recruiting videos.
Clemons-Abdullah said a recent pay raise should also help, from roughly $34,000 to about $46,000.
“You want the bad guys to be held accountable, but we want the people that’s guarding them to feel worthy, too,” she said.
From hiring to health, since Clemons-Abdullah’s appointment in September of 2021 11 people have died in the jail.
The CJC started operating under an emergency contract with Physician Correctional USA on December 1, after the city did not renew its contract with YesCare.
“There were issues, they were brought up, were they addressed appropriately? I’m not sure. At the end of the day, I wanted the detainees to get what was best,” Clemons-Abdullah said.
The CJC started working together with the City’s Health Department, with a focus on mental health for detainees.
A Chief Medical Officer has been hired and will start in the next two weeks.
St. Louis Health Director Dr. Matifadza Hlatshwayo Davis told elected leaders earlier this month that the individual, whose name has not been announced, is a licensed psychiatrist.
“I prioritized the Chief Medical Officer because you need someone with deep experience and understanding of correctional care,” Davis said.
Clemons-Abdullah said she’s doing her best to improve the jail.
“I’m trying to do my best to right the wrongs that were done when the inmates were hanging out the windows before I made it here,” she said.
The city said it’s working on a plan to implement Telehealth for inmates using tablets.
Clemons-Abdullah said the bidding process has opened for a new food service provider as well.
Watch the full interview with Clemons-Abdullah here: