Comptroller Green supports closing the Medium Security Institution

(St. Louis - April 9, 2019) Comptroller Darlene Green has announced her support for closing the City of St. Louis Medium Security Institution (MSI), commonly known as The Workhouse.

In an April 8, 2019 letter to the Close the Workhouse campaign, Comptroller Green stated that "MSI is an obsolescent facility and closing it is both fiscally and morally responsible" and that a roadmap to closing MSI is achievable and "can be completed in a matter of months, not years, with focus from the administration."

Closing MSI will require leadership and coordination. First, eliminating pretrial detention for those facing nonviolent charges would significantly reduce the number of beds needed. Second, coordinating with other departments of correction in the region could potentially provide any beds needed beyond what’s available at the St. Louis City Justice Center. 

Comptroller Green encourages and supports the mayor, the director of public safety and the circuit attorney making the necessary changes so that all persons in custody of the City of St. Louis can be housed at the City Justice Center or other modern facilities in the region.

Comptroller Green's full letter to the Close the Workhouse campaign is available at this link.

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Comptroller Darlene Green is the chief fiscal officer of the City of St. Louis and is charged with safeguarding the city’s credit rating and with protecting taxpayer dollars. Visit www.stlouis-mo.gov/comptroller to learn more about the Office of the Comptroller.

Documents

• Comptroller Green Statement on the Medium Security Institution