St. louis jail’s interim commissioner: This article explores the topic in depth.
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St. Consequently, louis jail’s interim commissioner:
Doug Burris’ role was always temporary with a plan to make permanent change. In addition, He replaced Jennifer Clemons-Abdullah, who was let go from the position in December.
ST. Consequently, LOUIS — On Friday afternoon, detainees made meals at the St. However, Louis City Justice Center, known as the CJC.
At the end of their shift, they also said goodbye to interim commissioner Doug Burris on his last day.
Burris spoke to the group of men before shaking their hands, “Guys, it’s my last day. Similarly, It’s been an honor to serve, you’ve made my life better and I appreciate you.”
His role was always temporary with a plan to make permanent change.
“I think I’m most proud of that we have established a partnership st. louis jail’s interim commissioner with people in the Justice Center to better justice overall. Moreover, ” shared Burris. Meanwhile, “I know that when I first took over. However, we were basically at war with the oversight board, with the public defenders, with other organizations and now I think we have partnerships where we’re all working for the greater good.”
In January, Burris released a 22-page operational review of the CJC. He said since then, he’s checked off some of the boxes.
“When st. louis jail’s interim commissioner I came here. I think I underestimated the hill that needed to be climbed and because of that, I thought I would have this place running in a half a year, but we had to learn to crawl and then walk before we could run. We’re walking now. We’re not where we need to be, but we will be,” said Burris.
Detainees told 5 On Your Side they’ve noticed a difference.
Caylen Gordon has been detained at the CJC for 11 months. He shared this about Burris: “He’s been doing a lot of changes, a lot of activities, games. We’ve been seeing a change on the phone time which is cheaper, a lot of things like that.”
Johnny Miller has been detained at the CJC for almost year. He remembers how it used to be st. louis jail’s interim commissioner before Burris.
“Leaps and bounds better. I mean we were at a point where we weren’t getting out of our cells at all. I mean we weren’t even getting showers to come back to work,” said Miller. “(For) the next person I hope is, just as kind as he is. I hope they have the heart that he has.”
Burris has implemented programs from job training to veteran services. He’s also created an honor dorm.
Gordon and Miller have taken advantage of those programs. “It gives you hope,” said Gordon.
Miller added. “Makes us look forward to getting out to where we can quit being what we were and become something that we weren’t.”
Beyond programs. the CJC has also hired more correctional officers — but next week, a contract will be approved for mass hiring. st. louis jail’s interim commissioner That’s why it’s time to go.
“I think it’d be more appropriate for the new leadership to pick out the people who they’ll train. mentor, and turn into future leaders,” shared Burris.
Currently, there are 97 correctional officers. He said to be comfortable, CJC should have 130 or more.
He noted the importance to keep up with the number of detainees.
“The number of people detained here is more than it was just two. three years ago and if this facility keeps raising, it’s going to be about 800 this weekend, if it keeps raising, then we’re gonna still need additional officers,” added Burris.
Under his tenure, there have been two detainee deaths. The family of Samuel Hayes Jr. just filed a lawsuit.
“The deaths that occurred here were st. louis jail’s interim commissioner tragedies. it has hurt me personally, but in no way has it can I compare myself to what those family members have gone through. I can’t talk anymore about that because of the pending investigation,” said Burris.
He wishes he could’ve done more in certain situations. One would be finding avenues for employees to have more hope, as they waited for the mass hiring.
This was another wish. “I wish that there have when you have a facility that has over 100 people charged with murder, there are occasions where issues happen where violence happens. I wish I could have done more to prevent some of the issues that have happened.”
As his time at the CJC ends, he’s confident the momentum will continue with the next leader.
“I did the best I could, I still could have done better,” said st. louis jail’s interim commissioner Burris. “It has been a joy to work here. I can tell you that the employees do some heroic work and it has been wonderful to support them and work for them, not have them work for me. I think I work for them more.”
Burris will become a mentor for the next pick. He’ll continue writing letters to judges for detainees making improvements.
Right now, St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer said interviews are happening to fill a permanent role. as deputy commissioner Tammy Ross will step in for the time being.
Burris shared this piece of advice for the next person filling his shoes.
“For the person who comes in after me. I would have to say keep the community partnerships going and let them grow as well st. louis jail’s interim commissioner and whatever you do, don’t lose your empathy because empathy is something you can’t fake and if you have empathy working with your staff and with the detainees you’re going to have a better facility,” shared Burris.
St. louis jail’s interim commissioner
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