St. Louis sheriff ends inmate hospital transport citing budget cuts - mayor calls move ‘ludicrous’
Move ends decades-old duty by sheriff’s office; critics say decision is political and endangers detainee care.
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - A new controversy is brewing around St. Louis Sheriff Alfred Montgomery, who is under increasing scrutiny after announcing that his office will no longer transport detainees to hospitals — a duty it has handled for decades.
The sheriff blamed budget constraints, but critics, including city leaders and his predecessor, argue the move is politically motivated and dangerous.
A critical service at risk
Currently, if a detainee in the St. Louis City jail becomes seriously ill, two sheriff’s deputies transport the individual to a hospital, supervise them throughout their stay, even for days or weeks, and then return them to jail.
However, in a letter obtained by First Alert 4 Investigates, Montgomery told city officials that his department would no longer perform that duty.
Mayor: ‘Ludicrous’ timing
St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer did not hold back in her conversation with First Alert 4 Investigates about Sheriff Montgomery’s decision to end the hospital transport detail with less than two weeks’ notice.
“To just drop this on us at a time when our city is dealing with the worst calamity we have seen in my lifetime, and now to say that we’re no longer able to transport people in our custody to much-needed medical assistance — it’s ludicrous,” Mayor Spencer said.
The sheriff’s letter to the mayor cited budget issues as the reason the department must reevaluate its capacity to provide the service, a claim Spencer dismisses.
“To cite overages... a good chunk of these dollars have been spent on lobbyists. The cost of the sheriff’s office has exploded. There were mass firings, and that cost the city significantly,” Spencer said.
Sheriff cites budget strain, staff shortages
Montgomery told the Board of Aldermen on May 13 that his department is short-staffed and financially stretched.
“Hospital transportation is no longer sustainable,” Montgomery said. “We are currently having to pull deputies from courts and security to cover hospital details, pulling from overtime funds to incentivize deputies to cover these shifts.”
Despite the staffing issues, Montgomery’s office also requested thousands of dollars for golf carts.
“To transport equipment — make a run to the hospital,” said Capt. Blake Lawrence, an attorney for the sheriff’s office.
That request has drawn criticism, particularly as services are being cut.
Previous Coverage
Legal questions and historical precedent
In his letter, Montgomery argues that hospital transport falls outside the statutory responsibilities of the sheriff’s office. He cited a 2002 memo from the city counselor’s office suggesting the duty belongs to the Department of Corrections.
But former Sheriff Vernon Betts, who held the position for eight years, disagrees.
“The history I know of the sheriff’s department — that’s always been the responsibility of the sheriff’s department,” Betts said. “Is he Donald Trump or what? He just makes a decision that he’s going to cease?”
Betts called the move “egregious,” accusing Montgomery of mismanaging staff and finances.
“We’ve had this responsibility for years. Now, all of a sudden, this guy thinks he knows so much that he’s going to reinvent the wheel? Come on,” Betts said.
Montgomery blamed the office’s budget woes on payouts authorized by Betts before leaving office.
“Whatever problems he’s having, he’s wanting to blame it on Vernon Betts. Nah. Take the boot by the straps and handle your business — quit blaming everything on somebody else,” Betts added.
Department of Corrections caught in the middle
Montgomery claims the Department of Corrections has both the funding and staffing to absorb the hospital transport duty.
In a statement to First Alert 4 Investigates, the city’s Department of Public Safety said:
“The Division of Corrections remains steadfast in its commitment to the safety and well-being of both detainees and staff. This includes timely and appropriate transportation for medical care — all of which are met with the utmost priority and care.”
Mayor Spencer disagrees.
“Our folks have an enormous amount of responsibility — getting the CJC to a place where we all feel confident that it’s running the best it possibly can,” she said. “To saddle them with additional roles and responsibilities — to thrust this upon them — is inhumane. That’s all I can say.”
First Alert 4 Investigates requested an interview with Sheriff Montgomery. His office declined, saying he was unavailable, but provided a written statement:
“Our decisions prioritize legality, operational capacity, and the responsible use of taxpayer dollars. The Department of Corrections holds an $8.8 million contract for prisoner medical services. The Sheriff’s Office received no funding for a hospital unit and also inherited nearly $250,000 in payouts to outgoing s, authorized by former Sheriff Vernon Betts just three days before we took office.”
Under federal scrutiny
This is not the first time Montgomery has drawn criticism. First Alert 4 Investigates has previously reported on other controversial decisions by the sheriff’s office.
St. Louis police confirmed they have handed over information about the sheriff to the FBI, which is now conducting an investigation.
Have a tip or concern about city leadership? First Alert 4 Investigates at [email protected].
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