One official from Red Onion State Prison suggested charging the inmates for their hospitalization, while another suggested prosecuting them for setting fires in their cells.

Summary

Inmates at Virginia’s Red Onion State Prison set themselves on fire in 2024 to protest alleged abuse, solitary confinement, and lack of medical care.

Emails reveal prison staff discussed charging the inmates for their medical treatment and prosecuting them for arson.

Advocacy groups and former inmates have long criticized the prison for excessive solitary confinement, abuse, and retaliation.

The Virginia Department of Corrections denies wrongdoing but faces lawsuits and a pending ombudsman investigation into prison conditions.

  • ShepherdPie@midwest.social
    2·
    12 hours ago

    States violating people’s civil rights is definitely a federal issue. Prisoners just don’t get any sympathy so there’s no political capital to gain by ending these injustices and that’s all that matters to politicians regardless of their party affiliation.

    • HubertManne@moist.catsweat.com
      1·
      12 hours ago

      it is and only one party puts in judges that honor the constitution and the bill of rights. im saying its not something that the president can quickly or easily intervene in. Again its about who does and who does not as a general course of action.