Thread by @ArchCityDefense

A brief #STLJailsCrisis timeline:
November 2017: James Cody & other people detained in the Workhouse pretrial file a federal lawsuit against #STLCity alleging inhumane conditions at the Workhouse. Still pending.
April 2018: @CLOSEWorkhouse campaign starts to #closetheWorkhouse

September 2018 & January 2019: @CLOSEWorkhouse publishes two reports on the history of the Workhouse, problems with money bail, pretrial detention & the need for #STL to reimagine public safety. archcitydefenders.org/our-impact/clo…

January 2019: David Dixon sues #STLCity for an unlawful money bail system w/ ACD, @adv_project, @CivRightsCorps & @GeorgetownICAP in his corner.
June 2019: Federal judge in the Dixon case grants a preliminary injunction, orders people detained to get another bail hearing.

April 2020: ACD & regional organizations send letter calling on MO Supreme Court to review cases & release people from jails, due to deadly nature of COVID.
archcitydefenders.org/for-immediate-…

Spring 2020: ACD starts jail crisis hotline [phone] and begins sharing (with permission) first hand testimonials of people detained & their loved ones on the outside soundcloud.com/archcitydefend…

December 2020: Detainees at CJC protest inhumane jail conditions, lack of COVID safe protocols, & spread of COVID inside the jail. City responds by macing, beating & transferring 50 people. Read the @CLOSEWorkhouse statement for more:
static1.squarespace.com/static/5ada607…

January & February 2021: Protests over inhumane conditions continue at CJC, specifically one on February 6th which drew national attention.

ACD releases 2nd playlist of audio clips from people detained in the jails.
soundcloud.com/archcitydefend…

February: ACD, @MacArthrJustice, MO Public Defenders send #STLCity a letter requesting a tour of CJC & chance to speak w people detained about conditions. City denies requests & disregards concerns expressed by detainees & families.

February: ACD hosts #ACDLive webinar on the #STLJailsCrisis & families of people who were detained expressed their frustrations with the City & their concerns about the safety & health of their loved ones.

February: 40 organizations have signed on to the #PeoplesPlanSTL, a comprehensive policy agenda designed to redirect power & resources to St. Louisans across the board. peoplesplanstl.org

February: ACD & co-counsel DLA Piper file an emergency motion to inspect the Workhouse due to reports of frigid temperatures & did a temperature inspection.

March: Anthony Tillman, a paraplegic man detained at CJC who'd been denied a shower for 150+ days filed a lawsuit against #STLCity with ACD, @MacArthrJustice, SLU Law Legal Clinic & @RightsBehind in his corner. After much work, a judge ruled #STLCity had to provide Mr. Tillman...

with an accessible shower. Press release: archcitydefenders.org/for-immediate-…