Officials acknowledge prisoners have harmed themselves but say they did not set themselves on fire or self-immolate

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.

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    Conditions

    More than two-thirds of prisoners at Red Onion are held in solitary confinement, or “segregation”. They are confined to their cells 23 hours per day in 8’ x 10’ cells with 6” x 24” windows for light. Length of confinement ranges from two weeks to fourteen years.[15][16] Food and medicine are served through trays in the cell door.[17]

    Opportunities for education and work are more limited than in most prisons due to the higher security level; however, Red Onion offers janitorial work, a GED program, and a literacy program.[16] The prison uses a video education system which allows the playing of prerecorded video files over 5" CCTV screens.[16][17][18]

    The facility was designed to minimize contact between corrections officers and prisoners as well as among prisoners.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Onion_State_Prison