JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.— An audit of the St. Louis City Justice Center found no fraud, but says staffing shortages have impacted jail operations, including health care services. 

The Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick investigated the facility after the death of two detainees and complaints surrounding training, meals, health care, staffing and a number of other topics. The audit also found concerns that the Detention Facilities Oversight Board (DFOB) could not get requested information.

For staffing, the report says the auditor’s review of staffing levels noted a ratio of detainees to correctional staff increased from four detainees per correctional officer in 2022 to eight in Aug. 2023, and was at seven per officer in March 2024. While the ratios do fall within CJC minimum standard of 10 detainees per officer, the report mentions it shows a trend of staffing issues. It also says the CJC showed that ideal detainee to staff rations are five to one or even three to one.

The commissioner said the CJC’s poor reputation has also contributed to staffing issues, according to the review. The commissioner is also working to raise starting pay from $34,000 to $46,000.

The auditor’s team found the DFOB received 74 complaints since 2022, and its lead investigator says it could not complete any of them. The report states investigations “continue to be limited by the DOC and the City Counselor because of their belief the investigations may affect ongoing civil litigation and/or criminal investigations.”

Another barrier to information was confusion over training, which prevented DFOB members from entering or touring the CJC, stated the report.

The former health care contractor, YesCare, failed to extend its agreement with the city, citing “staffing challenges” as one reason, according to the audit. That followed the city sued the contractor for negligence of a detainee who died by suicide.

In a letter from the contractor to the jail commissioner stating it would not bid for work in 2023, YesCare said the staffing issue created “obstacles in achieving basic access to care for the detainee population.” 

The letter also showed incidents where YesCare staff and security were risked including, staff locked in housing units without custody staff present, an employee being carjacked and car windows smashed while parked near the jail. YesCare also showed detainees did not go through the intake process, preventing them from performing necessary health screenings. 

The city is currently working to select a new health care provider for a Dec. 2024 contract. 

Spectrum News has reached out to the St. Louis Department of Public Safety for comment and is awaiting a reply.