Missouri authorities have unveiled video footage along with a comprehensive 100-page report detailing a riot that broke out in February at a county jail. During the disturbance, 34 inmates managed to seize control of a housing unit temporarily, causing damage in response to issues with phone and Wi-Fi connectivity.
The incident, recorded by surveillance cameras on February 7, began when inmates at the St. Louis County Justice Center voiced their dissatisfaction over limited phone access, poor Wi-Fi connections, and restricted time outside their cells. The inmates refused to return to their cells, as reported by FOX 2 Now.
Initially a peaceful protest, the situation escalated as inmates’ frustration led to more disruptive behavior, according to the report. Officials attributed the chaos primarily to a serious shortage of staff.
“This incident highlights the unpredictable nature of jail environments and underscores the crucial role played by corrections officers,” stated Captain Tim Ware, acting director of the St. Louis County Department of Justice Services. “The unrest can be directly linked to our staffing deficiencies, which forced us to impose restrictions on inmate movements.”
The surveillance footage captured the uproar within the Missouri-based St. Louis County jail, where inmates expressed anger over the lack of phone service, Wi-Fi issues, and limited time outside their cells, according to officials.
As corrections officers tried to de-escalate the situation, inmates barricaded the entrance of the housing unit with common area furniture.
“They tried to de-escalate with the residents and that was not working; the residents moved some furniture and barricaded the door,” Ware said.
A St. Louis County inmate is seen moving common area furniture as inmates cause a disturbance in the facility. (St. Louis County)
At one point, an inmate used a basketball to knock down a mounted security camera. The inmates also broke televisions, a commissary kiosk, and parts of the ceiling, Spectrum News reported.
Total damages climbed past $30,800, according to St. Louis County records.
Authorities eventually deployed chemical agents to safely secure the area. Out of the 34 inmates involved, criminal charges for four “main actors” have been turned over to the Clayton Police Department and the county prosecutor for review, Ware noted.
In response to the incident, county leaders approved $3 million in emergency funding for medical services to better support the nearly 1,200 inmates housed in the facility.
An angry inmate tosses what appears to be a basketball at a security camera inside the jail. (St. Louis County)
In addition, officials are actively looking to fill approximately 80 correctional officer vacancies.
To prevent future disturbances, the jail is shifting its operational approach. “We have started extra training… tabletop exercises and physical exercises… so the officers will be prepared to make decisions when something similar happens,” Ware said.