ST. LOUIS, MO (October 18, 2023) — The St. Louis Circuit Court is making a first-of-its-kind investment in housing, job training and mental health services in St. Louis in recognition of urgent and growing needs among people on pretrial release.

Presiding Circuit Judge Elizabeth Byrne Hogan has authorized the investment of $240,000 in St. Patrick Center, a ministry of Catholic Charities, to provide services to people released from jail on low-level felony cases.

The money will enable the nonprofit agency to provide emergency housing assistance, plus fund a workforce development program that includes two case manager positions as well as food, clothing, transportation and training services for up to 40 people.

The Court’s decision to invest in people’s fundamental needs highlights the 22nd Judicial Circuit's Pre-Trial Services division’s commitment to seeking alternatives to incarceration while continuing to balance public safety.

"Through this investment, community-based caseworkers establish relationships with people while still in jail and are waiting to support them once they're released,” said Sarah Phillips, Pre-Trial Services Coordinator for the 22nd Judicial Circuit. “These warm hand-offs ensure people aren't released without a plan to meet their social, emotional, physical or economic needs once they're back home and, in many cases, back in the same circumstances that led to their arrest.”

The St. Louis Circuit Court is allocating another $158,000 from a 2020 federal Bureau of Justice Assistance grant to Mission: St. Louis to provide at least 75 people with various services including workforce development, immediate employment, and civil legal assistance as well as classes in conflict resolution and parenting.

Mission: St. Louis staff members screen detainees in the jail each day and connect with participants once they are released to offer individualized case management and wraparound services.

###