𝐕𝐀𝐏𝐀𝐂'𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐗𝐈𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐃𝐈𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐊

 𝐕𝐀𝐏𝐀𝐂'𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐗𝐈𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐃𝐈𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐊

𝗪𝗲 𝙒𝙀𝙇𝘾𝙊𝙈𝙀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘽𝙐𝙏 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗼𝗽𝗵𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗳 𝗩𝗔𝗗𝗢𝗖'𝗦 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴.

𝐕𝐀𝐏𝐀𝐂

Once Again Report of Correctional Staff Abuse In Virginia's Prison Systems, Needs Investigation By Those Who Have The Means To Stop This Corruption

*Note* Sent to Virginia Prisons Accountability Committee VIA prisoner, Report of Correctional Staff Abuse VADOC Wallens Ridge State Prison, Prisoners name withheld to protect his safety, but filed if needed for verification of authenticity.

 On 6-26-2019 I was assaulted by C.O.XXX. I was standing in front of the door to the building where I'm currently housed when it suddenly flew open with way too much force. The door struck me in the upper body and the front/tip of my shoes. I would have let the issue go but the officer talked shit to me as if it was my fault. The following day I filed an informal complaint with the institutional ombudsman. Today, July 02, 2019 I was summoned to the unit managers office concerning my complaint of assault. I was treated as a hostile witness and my job was threatened. I plan to file a regular grievance(the next step following an informal complaint) but the institutional ombudsman here, XXX, has been consistently denying my grievances' intake on false grounds. She gets her decisions upheld by her supervision in Roanoke. She is supposed to be independent of the prison but how do you work on-site at this prison but remain independent?? I can only hope that you post and pass this around to those who care.
[Prisoner] I expect retaliation and reprisals so please post and share.
(804)674-3000 VA Dept of Corr.Headquarters
(276)523-3310 Wallens Ridge State Prison, Warden, Carl Manis

🔥ACTIONS NEEDED🔥 THERE IS CONCERN FOR TWO VIRGINIA SUSSEX 1 STATE PRISONERS KELLEY & GARRETT

There is concern about Michael Kelley #1190718 and Curtis Garrett #1546886, who are in solitary confinement at Sussex I State Prison.  
DETAILS:

Michael Kelley #1190718 was transferred from Red Onion to Sussex I State Prison in October 2017 and has been in solitary confinement ("restrictive housing") since then.  The reason for his transfer was ostensibly so that he could receive medical treatment at VCU.  He told IAHR that he was nearing completion of the Step-Down Program immediately before his transfer, but his participation in the program was suspended when he was transferred.  He has not been provided with a pathway toward release from isolation at Sussex I.  He has had a few medical appointments at VCU, but each appointment is followed by long delays until the next appointment.  His access to phones and electronic media is extremely limited, and he reports that his isolation at Sussex I has been even more stressful than at Red Onion.

Curtis Garrett #1546886 is in a reentry unit at Sussex I and is due to be released from prison in June of this year.  His family reports that on Christmas Day, a prisoner started walking around the pod and swinging a broom handle at people.  As Curtis and others tried to stop him, officers came in with dogs.  Immediately, as instructed, Curtis and the other prisoners lay on the floor as the dogs came close.  Frightened and eager to get away from the dogs, Curtis got up, ran into his cell, and closed his cell door.  Officers with dogs pursued him, entered Curtis' cell and told the dogs to attack.  Curtis was bitten by the dogs as officers allegedly beat him.

Curtis was taken to Southside Regional Medical Center for treatment.  He suffered serious wounds and nerve damage in his left arm and leg.  When Curtis returned to Sussex I, he was put in solitary confinement.  At an initial meeting with the warden and assistant warden on Wednesday, January 2, his mother was told that they had reviewed the security footage of the incident and that it showed Curtis was not at fault in the melee but he should not have run back to his cell.  Nevertheless, they said the reason Curtis was in solitary was that there is a pending investigation of the incident, and he would have to stay there until the investigation is completed.  No one has been able to tell Curtis or his family how long the investigation is likely to last.  No investigator had talked to Curtis as of January 12.  His family's attempts to communicate with the warden or assistant warden since this meeting have been unsuccessful.  They are asking for Curtis to be transferred to another facility where his injuries can be treated effectively and where he will not be in solitary confinement ("restrictive housing").

Curtis' mother visited him on January 2 and January 9.  Both times he was wheeled to the visit in a wheelchair.  During the first visit, she reported that he was in a panic mode, clearly traumatized by the dog attack and continually reliving it.  During the second visit, a week later, he was physically and mentally drained.  He looked weak and dehydrated and had trouble articulating his feelings.  She also noticed that blood was soaking through his bandages.  A nurse herself, she reported that the hospital had directed that his dressings be changed every day, but the medical unit at Sussex I decided that they only needed to be changed every other day.  We are concerned about the quality of the medical care he is receiving.

Your action is needed,  "vapac" in alliance with Gay Gardner & Interfaith Action for Human Rights (IAHR) on these issues ask you to contact the below DOC officials, urging them to remove these men from solitary confinement/"restrictive housing" and transfer them to a setting where they can receive effective medical treatment without damage to their mental health.

Israel Hamilton, Warden, Sussex I State Prison

Israel.hamilton@vadoc.virginia.gov

804-834-9967

William Jarratt, Assistant Warden, Sussex I State Prison

William.jarratt@vadoc.virginia.gov

804-834-9967

Harold Clarke, Director of Corrections

Harold.clarke@vadoc.virginia.gov

804-674-3000

A. David Robinson, Chief of Corrections Operations

David.robinson@vadoc.virginia.gov

804-674-3000

Steve Herrick, Director of Health Services

Steve.herrick@vadoc.virginia.gov

804-887-8118

Via Gay Gardner & Interfaith Action for Human Rights (IAHR) &

Virginia Prisons Accountability Committee

Governor Ralph Northam's 2019 State of the Commonwealth Address Announces Virginia Maintains the Lowest Recidivism Rate in the Country, Now Virginians Do This!

NOW VADOC HAROLD CLARKE LET'S ABOLISH THE BARBARIC USE OF SOLITARY CONFINEMENT IN VIRGINIA PRISONS!!!

Life-threatening Diseases & Conditions If Left Untreated Virginia Prisoners Will Become Sicker or Die

We at vapac have received many alarming letters concerning health.  Life-threatening diseases and conditions if left untreated will cause these prisoners to become sicker and in some instances can be fatal. A Prisoner imprisoned at Sussex 1 State Prison J. Davis (1097342) Suffers from the "silent killer" that has a known treatment and even a cure. In at least nine states, prisoners have filed lawsuits arguing that withholding drugs constitutes deliberate indifference to their dire needs, violating a constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Delaying treatment and curing can have deadly consequences for Mr. Davis who shared with Mr. Shaheed Omar longtime prisoner advocate and collaborator with vapac that he is a great husband, father, son and is a man of faith and is in need of treatment the same treatment Mr. Omar was fortunate enough to get and was cured. We must ask how will Mr. Davis even be considered for a chance to become healthy again if the Sussex 1 State Prison Staff ignore his informal complaints and allow grievances to go unnoticed? Other prisoners who have medical issues whom have provided adequate documentation 

1.  Lester Hayes 1465707 he was in a bus accident on 4-18-17 and has not been Adequately medically treated. He also has issued of a different nature that is not being addressed today. 
2.  Yusuf Hakim Ali 1092185 Stomach and Colon Problems and is suffering very badly and can't get the help that he needs. 
3. Tarik Hudgins 1069060 Just received a letter from him which I have enclosed just one page of it about his feet. 
4.  Michael Kelly 1190718 has Disease called Graves Disease. He is currently at Sussex 1 but a prisoner of Red Onion. The only reason at Sussex is to get treatment for his medical condition but cannot get out of Solitary Confinement etc.
5. Anthony Kirby 1314706 on 6-6-18 fell the on the floor the in the kitchen while no signs of wet floor were present. He is injured and needs help.
6. Jeffrey Whitebey 1118137 Sussex 1 needs surgery on heart but is not getting help 
7. Marvin Rash 1428427 Sussex I Gastroenteritis problem with stomach and not able to get help.
8. Robert Yeary 1035754 having problems with medical treatment for his dentures. Commissary does not sale denture adhesive chemical, therefore he cannot use his denture so he cannot eat properly.

Steve Herrick Director; Office of Health Services Virginia Department of Corrections your job description requires you to supervise all clinical department heads and the local health authorities at the facilities. Your overall responsibility is to assure efficient and quality care is provided to these incarcerated offenders. [prisoners]

It is obvious (in the accompanying documents we received complaints and grievances but for reason of lack of space we can not print all letters, however, copies can be obtained in writing) that these men are not being professionally addressed and need proper attention from every level of the Virginia Department of Corrections. Beginning with the officers who are supposed to provide counsel and words of instruction to inmates who have legitimate questions and requests, but are indifferent, then there are the prison registered nurses and prison doctors who are supposed to provide health care and related services, including advocacy, health education, preventive care, research, and clinical care to prisoners, however, they are also on many occasions indifferent. The requirement is for prison staff, officers, doctors, and nurses to adhere to prison regulations, agency rules and last but not least the law. Director Steve Herrick & Director Harold Clark, we ask you to look into the matter of these life-threatening Diseases and conditions if left untreated, these Virginia prisoners will become sick or/and die.






By vapac
In Collaboration with Shaheed Omar and prisoners listed in this article.

References

The ACLU of Virginia Prisoner Rights to adequate medical care
State Prisons Fail to Offer Cure to 144,000 Inmates With Deadly Hepatitis C
Three N.C. Prisoners Sue the State for Hepatitis C Treatment
The Massachusetts Department of Correction has reached a settlement with prisoners' rights Groups over its medical treatment of prison inmates with hepatitis C.
A peoples’ victory: Court rules to give Mumia Abu-Jamal hep C cure – Workers World

Virginia's Red Onion State Prisoner Jason Jordan Files A Grievance and Lawsuit Then Report of Abuse and Assault Ensues

The complaint method of the Virginia Department of Corrections [VADOC] is the process in which prisoners are able to air their complaints about prison guard abuse, violations, and lawlessness. The primary recurring theme prisoners report at Virginia's Red Onion State Prison [ROSP] are threats of retaliation or in the case of ROSP prisoner Jason Jordan's report, full-blown assault. Magaret Breslau prison activist and force behind Virginia Coalition for Justice  Virginia Prisons Justice Network  [VPJN] among other platforms cited in a recent correspondence with VADOC whom asserted all claims of abuse are taken seriously and properly investigated. However, prisoner Jason Jordan reveals his attempt to file a criminal complaint were denied him by ROSP investigator denoting the rule of thumb "wall of silence" to protect their own. We must interject "how can prisons police/investigate themselves. His claims for filing a grievance and lawsuit when he was met with physically aggressive behavior taken to a spot off camera and kicked in his testicles (drawing blood) by guards as to "teach him a lesson" Mr. Jordan went through the various steps to file a charge, "what prisoners go through when they follow their First Amendment Rights to redress a grievance"  wherein Civil Court he won a "Summary Judgement" and is waiting to go to trial. Mr. Jordan also asserts he is a "mental health" prisoner and is being denied mental health treatment. We must state here, Retaliation is illegal, guards have abused their power when they violate the 1st Amendment Rights of prisoners, in this case, the right to petition government officials for a redress of grievances.


By Prisoner Jason Jordan held at Red Onion State Prison
In collaboration with Virginia Prisons Justice Network  [VPJN]
and VAPAC

• Under the First Amendment, you have the right to “petition the government for a redress of grievances
• Jordan v. Large, No. 7:2016cv00468 - Document 28 (W.D. Va. 2018)

Prisoner Israel Copper VA's Red Onion State Prison Previous Victim of Assaults Settled Out Of Court But Still Remains At Same Facility To Continue to Be Victimized & Retaliated Against

When someone’s behavior is not compliant with the law, or they are acting in a way that threatens safe and secure incarceration or is contradictory to decency, honesty and so on, disciplining is necessary for everyone’s safety and well-being to quote Peter Garrett who has written articles for  Around Corrections, the Official Newsletter of the Virginia Department of Corrections. Note We are NOT talking about Prisoners here but prison officials and guards. The following letter from Prisoner Israel Cooper shared by Mr. Shaheed Omar exposes Virginia's highly dysfunctional Correctional system where the Virginia Department of Corrections claim disciplining is relatively rarely needed in the Department. Could it be they allow said prison guards to unlawfully mistreat prisoners?

By Israel Cooper
Collaboration Omar Shaheed
vapac