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Event
Fundraiser: Close the Workhouse Campaign
This event is a community fundraiser to support the campaign to Close the Workhouse, and is a collaboration between ArchCity Defenders, St. Louis Action Council, M.O.R.E. / Decarcerate STL and The Bail Project.
The Workhouse is a St. Louis City jail known for unspeakably hellish and inhumane conditions. For decades, a majority of people detained in the Workhouse have been innocent, unable to pay cash bail, and languished in horrific conditions while awaiting trial.
On Wednesday, April 18th at 2720 Cherokee, we invite you to come out and be part of a powerful coalition working to build political pressure to Close the Workhouse.
More on The Workhouse:
The City of St. Louis daily condemns hundreds of presumptively innocent people to suffer in unspeakably hellish and inhumane conditions at the Workhouse. St. Louis Citys Medium Security Institution (MSI) infamously inherited the name the Workhouse as people were sentenced to forced labor at the institution when they could not afford to pay their fines. This practice continues today as people remain incarcerated due to their inability to afford unconstitutional high cash bails. The vast majority of people held at the Workhouse are awaiting trial and remain caged and criminalized due to their poverty. Humans incarcerated additionally face horrific conditions in the jail, suffering from extreme heat and cold, abysmal medical care, rats and cockroach infestations, and mold.
The Workhouse is non-reformable and no human should be incarcerated there. It is time for the Workhouse to be shut down and for St. Louis to invest in all its communities.
It is time for all to commit to shut down the Workhouse. Too many people are incarcerated in St. Louis and in order to Close the Workhouse, we must significantly reduce the number of people being detained there in the first place.
By closing the Workhouse, St. Louis can achieve justice for thousands and focus on the important work of healing and rebuilding the communities where the Workhouse has brought suffering.
A Closer Look into The Workhouse:
Over 90% of inmates are pre-trial which means they are in jail despite the fact that they have not been found guilty.
Inmates and staff have spoken out against inhumane conditions for decades infestation of rats and mice, black mold, unsanitary food, roaches, inadequate medical care, defunct toilets, showers and sinks and violence instigated by correctional officers.
Individuals jailed at the Workhouse suffer from inadequate medical care, despite the fact that the city spends over $300,000 a month on inmate health care from a company that has had thousands of lawsuits against it across the country.
In July 2017, inmates screamed for help as temperatures in the Workhouse soared as high as 125 degrees Fahrenheit, and rarely fell below 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Location2720 Cherokee (View)
2720 Cherokee St.
Saint Louis, MO 63118
United States
Categories
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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