A coalition of racial justice groups in the St. Louis region has unveiled its inaugural report titled “Prosecutor Watch: An Introduction,” marking the beginning of a comprehensive examination of the St. Louis and St. Louis County prosecutor offices.
The report, spearheaded by the Prosecuting Organizing Table, represents a concerted effort to hold local prosecutors accountable and promote transparency within their offices.
Jian Lian Yang, the director of storytelling and communications for Forward Through Ferguson, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating that it’s high time for prosecutors to prioritize transparency and accountability.
The Prosecuting Organizing Table, established in 2020 in response to perceived shortcomings by St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell and former St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, aims to address unmet progressive promises made during their respective campaigns.
Despite their historic elections, Yang noted a continuation of the status quo, underscoring the need for tangible change. The coalition comprises several prominent organizations, including Action St. Louis, ArchCity Defenders, Freedom Community Center, Forward Through Ferguson, MacArthur Justice Center, and Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty.
Together, they will assess the performance of prosecutors based on key metrics such as transparency, charging decisions, pretrial detention, conviction and sentencing, and commitment to community-based alternatives.
Central to the coalition’s mission is empowering the public through education on the role of prosecutors and the dissemination of vital data to inform public opinion.
However, despite outreach efforts, Bell and St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore have yet to release crucial data, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
Michelle Smith, co-director of Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty, lamented Bell’s office’s lack of transparency and accountability, highlighting the disparity between campaign promises and actual outcomes.
While acknowledging Bell’s adherence to certain promises, such as his stance against the death penalty, Smith emphasized the urgent need to improve charging decisions and transparency.
The St. Louis region has faced significant scrutiny in recent years due to a myriad of issues, including deaths at the St. Louis City Justice Center and upheavals within detention facilities.
Against this backdrop, the coalition’s efforts to hold prosecutors accountable take on added significance, underscoring the imperative of reform in promoting justice and equity within the criminal justice system.