ST. LOUIS — The city’s new jail chief's first priorities include learning from staff and reviewing the jail's use-of-force policy.

Nate Hayward, formerly a deputy director at St. Louis County’s jail, is taking on one of City Hall's toughest assignments.

Since 2020, the downtown jail has faced rioting , hostage-taking and 20 detainee deaths, which officials largely attribute to medical issues, drug overdoses and suicides . Advocates have complained of poor health care services and excessive use of pepper spray. The number of correctional officers on staff has plummeted while the jail population has grown.

Hayward is hopeful the city can mount a turnaround like St. Louis County did after a spate of deaths in 2019, he said in an interview Wednesday.

In the county, new directors bo

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