ST. LOUIS, Mo. – State Representative Joshua Peters, D-76th District, who has requested State intervention at the St. Louis workhouse to remedy unsafe and unsanitary conditions, is now demanding that the city show “real transparency” and open up the Workhouse for an inspection by the news media. “If the city administration continues to be blind to the deplorable and inhumane conditions at the city Workhouse, then let those with eyes and hearts see for themselves. City politicians talk about being open and transparent, but what do those words mean without action?” Peters questioned.
“I would challenge city officials to allow me to conduct the news media and representative members of St. Louis clergy, to speak, in private, with inmates and personnel, and to the conditions for ourselves. To not allow access is to try to hide the truth,” said Peters.
Representative Peters says he has continued to call on House Speaker Todd Richardson to appoint a special committee of the House to investigate the facility. “I have also written the Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services and spoken with the Director of Corrections for the State. State officials need to act quickly,” Peters said.
The Director of the Missouri Department of Corrections, Anne L. Precythe, has agreed to meet with Representative Peters to follow up on his letter.
-###-
