Congressman Bell Issues Statement of Support to Avoid Medical Staff Shortages in St. Louis County Jails

Washington, D.C. - Today, Representative Wesley Bell (D-MO-01) issued the following statement supporting efforts to prevent medical staffing shortages at St. Louis County's adult and juvenile detention facilities.

"Regardless of the mistakes someone has made in life, health care is a human right. As the St. Louis County Prosecutor, I know firsthand the vital role nurses play in our corrections system and why supporting this proposal is so important. Letting these contracts expire will have a devastating impact on both the juvenile and adult prison populations, essentially rendering our county prison health care system incapable of providing life-saving services. I remain committed to working with our County partners to make sure everyone in St. Louis County gets the health care they need."

This funding request comes as the St. Louis County Council is currently debating a funding request of $2.89 million to cover the cost of 23 nurses who work at the St. Louis County Jail and the county's Juvenile Detention Center. If the funding request is not approved, it is projected that the detention facilities will not be able to provide adequate health care services for detainees.