State probe finds allegations of abuse, inhumane conditions at Red Onion State Prison mostly untrue
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WISE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A state investigation launched after several Red Onion State Prison inmates burned themselves and alleged racism, sexual abuse and mistreatment found that a majority of the claims were not true and the rest lacked evidence.
8News obtained a redacted report from the Office of the State Inspector General (OSIG) on Tuesday, Jan. 6 that details the findings of its investigation into Virginia's only supermax prison, which is located in Wise County.
The state report came after at least seven inmates set themselves on fire and allegations of "degrading and inhumane conditions" at the facility surfaced in November 2024.
How did we get here?
According to a statement from the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, inmates experienced racial and physical abuse from correctional officers, violent dog attacks, medical neglect, excessive stays in solitary confinement and inedible food covered in maggots and officers' spit.
While advocates claimed as many as 12 inmates set themselves on fire, the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) told 8News that only seven inmates were involved in the incidents, using "improvised devices" created by tampering with electrical outlets.
Notably, within the report 8News received, the number of inmates who burned themselves was redacted.
8News previously spoke with two inmates who said they burned themselves at Red Onion. Those inmates have now been transferred out of state.
Following the release of the burning allegations, Andrea Sapone, the Corrections Ombudsman for OSIG said her office would prioritize an investigation at the facility.
OSIG conducted its investigation between Jan. 1, 2024, and June 1, 2025. State auditors did so through announced and unannounced visits, conducting staff interviews, examining video footage and reviewing both policy and documentation.
OSIG: Allegations of inedible food, solitary confinement and inhumane conditions were 'unsubstantiated'
OSIG found that claims of food infested with maggots and inmates not being fed for a day were unsubstantiated -- meaning that, based on the evidence, these allegations are completely dispelled or proven false.
State auditors said Red Onion and its food were clean and appropriate, and that it received no complaints regarding inmates being denied food or that the food was infested with maggots.
The report also dispelled claims of medical and mental health neglect that led to inmates burning themselves.
OSIG said there's evidence that inmates received medical assessments after each use-of-force incident. It added that Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) staff have consistently refuted allegations of denied health care.
VADOC staff also told the agency that inmates who refused to participate in standard search procedures were not permitted to leave their cells for safety reasons, potentially impacting their medical appointments, per the report.
Multiple other claims made about treatment that allegedly led inmates to burn themselves were also dispelled. This includes alleged extended weeks in solitary confinement -- including one instance where an alleged consecutive stay spanned 600 days -- as well as inhumane conditions at the facility and sexual and physical abuse by corrections officers
PREVIOUS: Red Onion State Prison officials say no inmates set themselves on fire
In 2021, VADOC dropped its definition and ended the use of "restrictive housing" by offering a minimum of four hours of out-of-cell time each day. The department also rolled out the term "restorative housing" and labeled it the "Level S program" instead of solitary confinement.
OSIG said the inmates who were placed in confinement chose not to participate in either out-of-cell activities or search procedures, thus resulting in a safety concern, meaning they were not allowed to leave their cell. However, none of them were subjected to "extreme extended weeks."
The report also dismissed claims of inhumane treatment and found that the facility met the United Nations' standards for environmental conditions, sanitation and hygiene, offender treatment and safety.
Regarding claims of sexual and physical abuse by corrections officers, the state agency said it reviewed over 533 written complaints and formal grievances and found that all concerns relating to the allegations were "appropriately addressed." OSIG also reviewed 77 incident reports and body camera footage and found no evidence of physical or sexual abuse of inmates at the facility.
Racism and retaliation allegations were 'inconclusive'
Allegations of racism, human rights violations and retaliation against inmates from corrections officers were found "inconclusive" by OSIG, meaning the agency couldn't determine whether the claims were true.
Per the report, OSIG investigated allegations that the Red Onion facility was "racist, oppressive, harassing and/or discriminatory." It found no evidence that VADOC staff engaged in racist conduct or violated inmates' rights.
The agency said there were two complaints alleging staff retaliation and both were responded to by Red Onion State Prison. Neither of the complaints was elevated to a formal grievance level by the inmates, per the report.
VADOC staff have also refuted allegations of retaliatory actions toward inmates as well as claims of racism and rights violations.
Recommendations
The state offered two recommendations to the department based on the findings, including improvements to record-keeping of all health events and regular courses to inform inmates of their access to health services and formal grievance submissions.
Response from the Department of Corrections
VADOC Director Chadwick Dotson said that the claims were false in a statement to 8News earlier in 2025.
“The recent round of stories about Red Onion are nothing more than bad-faith efforts to try to score cheap political points by advocacy groups who pursue prison abolition and policies that would make Virginians less safe," Dotson said.
VADOC echoed Dotson's sentiments. In a Jan. 7 statement to 8News, the agency said it's "gratified" that the OSIG did not find any evidence of racism or abuse at Red Onion State Prison in its investigation.
"This report proves what the VADOC has known from the start: the Virginia Department of Corrections is completely vindicated," the statement reads. "The VADOC continues to have zero tolerance for excessive force or abuse of any kind."
