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CJC commissioner outlines 90-day changes: more out-of-cell time, updated policies and hiring push
Summary
Commissioner Nate Haywood told the Public Safety Committee he has focused his first 90 days at the City Justice Center on safety, policy updates and resident programming, reporting 706 residents and expanded out-of-cell time. Aldermen praised progress and pressed for more oversight, training and program details.
Commissioner Nate Haywood told the St. Louis City Public Safety Committee that in his first 90 days leading the City Justice Center (CJC) he prioritized safety, staff development and resident-focused programming.
Haywood, who said he began in the division of corrections after a long career in St. Louis County, told the committee the facility currently houses 706 residents — 51 female and 655 male — and said staff have changed routines so residents are let out "at least 3, 4 times a day, hours a day" to allow showers, phone calls and programming.
"When I first arrived to CJC, my first tour, I went home and I couldn't sleep. I wrote an assessment report at 2 in the morning, and it was a 4-page report," Haywood said. He described immediate operational changes including power washing housing units, creating resident cleaning and painting crews, and repairing plumbing and locks on the spot.
Haywood said the office is updating an out-of-date policy library: "We just had 187 different policies that haven't been updated since 2020," and he reported 27 policies currently under review to align with ACA accreditation standards. He also said the resident rule book was revised end-to-end.
On programming, Haywood highlighted two initiatives: "Unlocked Labs," a laptop-based program for female residents, and a ServSafe food-handling course, which he said graduated participants. He reported a job fair with about 40 interviews that yielded 24 hires and said recruitment outreach produced roughly 150 applicants for correctional officer positions; he said 67 candidates are awaiting interviews and that a large cadet graduation is scheduled for Dec. 30 at City Hall.
Aldermen praised the apparent progress and offered to connect the department with community partners. Alderman Clark Hubbard said Haywood's early work "lets me know that you are committed," and Alderman Sonnier asked for a detailed list of programs so the committee can consider budget support. Several members asked about oversight, medical transports and enforcement; Haywood said he has met with the oversight board multiple times, that medical runs have been completed recently with cooperation from acting sheriff leadership, and that restraint chairs are "not in use."
The committee requested further follow-ups: a list of partner organizations for resident programming, clearer information on oversight-board training and responsibilities, and regular updates as the department moves into budget season.
The committee did not take formal action on the presentation; members indicated support and interest in continued oversight and assistance.
