May 28th, 2026 Local News
Ste. Genevieve Co., Mo. (KFMO) - Family members are raising concerns about conditions for ICE detainees from Missouri and Illinois currently being housed at the Ste. Genevieve County Jail.
On Tuesday, Congressman Wesley Bell of St. Louis and Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski of the Metro East toured the Ste. Genevieve County Detention Center as part of their congressional oversight responsibilities to review conditions for detainees being held for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.
Bell said the visit was intended to allow lawmakers to examine how detainees are being treated and to hear directly from those being held inside the facility.
Following the tour, Bell said the visit confirmed concerns that he and Budzinski already had regarding the situation at the jail.
Bell said the oversight committee plans to continue monitoring the detention center and following up on concerns raised during the visit, adding that detainees should be treated with “the respect they deserve.”
According to officials, the Ste. Genevieve County Jail is currently housing 147 ICE detainees.
In response to concerns raised about the facility, Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Major Jason Schott released a statement defending operations at the jail.
“We believe we operate an excellent detention center and provide excellent care and service, not only to ICE detainees but to every individual housed in our facility,” Schott said.
Bell and Budzinski said jail officials assured them that all concerns brought forward during the tour would be addressed.