St. Clair County Jail shut down for one day for massive jail shakedown.
On 12-18-08 at about 8:00 AM the St. Clair County Jail was in complete lockdown. This was a planned detail by Sheriff Mearl Justus to continuously ensure the safety of Officers, employees and detainees within the jail. “We conduct these shakedowns on a regular basis but at irregular intervals to keep inmates off guard,” said Sheriff Mearl Justus.
“This was one of the larger searches conducted at the St. Clair County Jail because we called on help from several other law enforcement agencies,” said Sgt. Thomas Trice, the detail supervisor. The following agencies sent law enforcement officers as well as police K-9s to assist with the search:
Belleville PD
Cahokia PD
Collinsville PD
Fairview Heights PD
Illinois State Police
Metro East Auto Task Force
United States Marshals Service
In all there were about 60 Officers (including 8 K-9s) from the Sheriff’s Department and these other agencies that searched over 300 inmates, cells and areas of the jail. No Officers were injured during the massive inmate movement and there was only one use of force incident. One inmate refused movement for a search and received minor injuring while resisting Officers.
No illegal items, per Illinois law, were discovered however a few items of jail contraband (per jail rules) were found including two “jail made” shanks and “jail made” tattoo kits. All items were confiscated and those inmates are facing jail sanctions.
“The two shanks found show the dangers that Correctional Officers face everyday. The lack of finding other significant items, in a jail as large as this, demonstrates the tremendous job Officers at the St. Clair County Jail do everyday,” said Sgt. Thomas Trice.
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Captain Steve Johnson
Chief Investigator
Criminal Investigation Section
St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, 618-277-3505 x5715