(St. Louis) -KTRS
About 150 protesters showed up Friday night to support inmates who have been complaining about the lack of air conditioning at the jail, commonly called the workhouse, where the majority of those incarcerated are awaiting further court procedures.
By the next morning, St. Louis mayor Lyda Krewson announced that portable cooling units would be installed by the end of this week.
Krewson said the city has placed the orders for five units which will be installed in the older sections of the workhouse which lack air conditioning. There is a/c in common areas and the cafeteria but many of the cells in the older sections have not had air conditioning which lead to the inmate’s complaints.
Around 150 people showed up Friday night on Hall Street to support the inmates who waived towels from open windows of their cells. Altercations with police resulted in police using pepper spray to disperse the crowd.
Despite Mayor Krewson’s announcement early Saturday, more protesters gathered Saturday night where several clashed with police resulting in some arrests.
