Dear Friends, On September 15th, 2024, a tragic, horrifying event took place at Virginia’s Red Onion State Prison—an event that highlights the unbearable conditions incarcerated individuals face every day. In a recent radio essay, Kevin Rashid Johnson reports that Econ, and his cellmate Trayvon Brown set themselves on fire, hoping to escape the intolerable racism,...| Prison Radio
Kevin Rashid Johnson#1007485Keen Mountain Correctional CenterP.O. Box 860Oakwood, VA 24631 Kevin "Rashid" Johnson was born in Richmond, Virginia in 1971. He defended his dignity consistently from an early age. He was precocious in his academic skills but clashed perpetually with authority figures. He was in and out of disciplinary institutions already in his teen years,...| Prison Radio
I started my hunger strike Monday, October 21st. Once everybody refused a breakfast tray, the CO came to my door and said, "Why? Why you messing up the spot? This is a good spot." He said, "Man, you got everybody round up over here going on the hunger strike." I said, "I don't have nothing...| Prison Radio
I. SUMMARY| www.hrw.org
A. There is created within the Office of the State Inspector General, an Office of the Department of Corrections Ombudsman (the Office). The Office shall have the following duties and powers:| law.lis.virginia.gov
On September 15, 2024, a young African man, Ekong Eshiet and his cellmate Trayvon Brown, set themselves on fire at Virginia's remote supermax Red Onion State Prison. Ekong suffered third degree burns along his legs and was hospitalized until September 24th for inpatient PharmaCare, including skin grafts. His cell mate's injuries were even worse. I...| Prison Radio
Virginia’s Department of Corrections has recently settled two lawsuits over its use of solitary confinement—a practice lawmakers are moving closer to abolishing.| theappeal.org
In May 2023, an inmate at Red Onion Super-Max set himself on fire in order to be transferred out of the institution where he feared for his life. At least two more men have taken the same desperate…| The Virginia Defender
