ST. LOUIS — A male inmate assaulted a female correctional officer inside the City Justice Center Thursday afternoon.
The officer "sustained minor injuries to her face," was taken to a hospital for treatment and was released, according to a statement from Monte Chambers, spokesperson for the Director of Public Safety.
It happened at 1:05 p.m., and the Division of Corrections is investigating, Chambers wrote.
St. Louis police confirmed officers responded to the jail at 1:35 for a report of an assault. Police classified it as a third-degree assault involving a special victim. A police spokesperson said he had no additional information.
The city's EMS workers responded to the jail at 1:34 p.m.
The attack is just the latest in a series of assaults involving corrections staff and inmates at the jail, which has been riddled with problems in recent years.
Two inmates attacked a guard on Aug. 22, 2023 stealing his radio, keys and pepper spray and freed about 40 to 50 inmates from their cells. Corrections Commissioner Jennifer Clemons-Abdullah called it a “hostage situation,” while an employee who talked to the I-Team called it an “all-out riot.”
During one weekend in October 2023, several guards were injured during three separate attacks involving inmates.
Ten inmates have also died during the past two years, three of whom died within 10 weeks of each other during Clemons-Abdullah's administration.
5 On Your Side's I-Team obtained autopsy reports for the 14 inmates who have died since 2000. Most died by suicide, others from natural causes and at least two from Fentanyl overdoses -- leading activists to question whether the facility has adequate medical care.
Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick says he is investigating whether vendors aren't being paid leading to food shortages.
Activists and city leaders have called for her resignation, but Mayor Tishaura Jones has said she still has confidence in the commissioner's leadership.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
