Summary
Incarcerated individuals at Virginia’s Red Onion State Prison have reportedly burned themselves in protest of alleged inhumane conditions, including racial abuse, excessive solitary confinement, and neglect.
The Virginia Department of Corrections confirmed six incidents but denied reports of self-immolation, while others claim 12 men were injured.
Protesters and advocacy groups, including the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, demand an independent investigation, citing reports of maggot-infested food, physical abuse, and poor medical care.
Incarcerated journalist Kevin “Rashid” Johnson, who exposed the protests, was placed in solitary confinement, allegedly as retaliation.
You said that you haven’t seen a US outlet covering it. I said that they are covering it, and the fact that you haven’t seen it is only due to your personal media consumption habits.
Yes, because I, like most people don’t dig past the front page of online news, and most people don’t even do that much.
This is still a reflection on the relative lack of promotion such a visceral story should receive.