‘They’re killing people’: Multiple angry family members express concerns about VADOC conditions at ombudsman meeting

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Multiple angry family members gathered Thursday to express concerns over conditions in the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC), particularly at Red Onion State Prison and Wallens Ridge, at the corrections ombudsman meeting. They called for immediate accountability.

On Thursday, Oct. 2, Virginia lawmakers and advocates gathered for an OSIG Corrections Ombudsman Stakeholder update, more than a year after legislation was passed to create an independent prison oversight office in the state.

Many advocated for transparency regarding the prison conditions, arguing that VADOC has failed to maintain humane treatment, specifically at Red Onion State Prison, which has experienced multiple issues, like extended lockdowns, inmate self-harm and allegations of inhumane treatment.

Geri Greenspan, Senior Staff Attorney with ACLU of Virginia, said concerns -- what she calls "harsh" conditions -- over Red Onion State Prison have only gotten worse.

According to Greenspan, prisoners have described being shot with rubber bullets for minor, nonviolent infractions -- such as talking on the phone too long or crossing the colored lines while performing cleaning duties -- often with "no verbal warning," Greenspan said.

Greenspan similarly described "troubling reports that we had already received," detailing the "pervasive use of excessive force and abuse of prisoners," and they have reportedly continued to receive these reports.

"Our concerns have only increased," Greenspan said, after speaking with those housed out at Red Onion. "It appears the situation is not improving, and in fact, is getting worse."

Melina Evans, whose son Cameron is incarcerated, spoke emotionally about the prison's psychological effects on her family.

"We are calling for the immediate shutdown of Red Onion and Wallens Ridge since they have shown themselves unable to be governed by anything other than nepotism and abuse," Evans said.

Evans said many procedures aim to traumatize, dehumanize and "make mental health conditions worse," urging the ombudsmen to engage with the public in order to ensure their decisions are "effective."

She also called for the indictment of VADOC personnel for their crimes, though she was interrupted during her remarks.

"I deserve more than five minutes," she said. "They're killing people."

Evans alleged that the abuse of power has led people to refuse to come out of their cells.

"People we have spoken to have described feeling anger, resentment and frustration that, despite their own individual efforts to follow the rules, comply and do their best, they might still be punished for actions of others," Greenspan said.

Corrections Ombudsman Meeting on Oct. 2. (Photo: Paul Nevadomski, 8News)

Corrections Ombudsman Meeting on Oct. 2. (Photo: Paul Nevadomski, 8News)

Corrections Ombudsman Meeting on Oct. 2. (Photo: Paul Nevadomski, 8News)

Tyrecia Williams-El, who represents the advocacy group Uniting Prisoners' Relatives Organizing Against Repression (UPROAR), also emphasized the need for transparency and fairness.

"We're here for justice," Williams-El said.

April Wright, an advocate at UPROAR, whose son has been incarcerated at VADOC for eight years, alleged her son has been starved, beaten, picked up by restraints and had his nose broken.

"Everybody in there could see my son naked, strapped and urinating and defecating on himself," Wright said. "This is the type of torture that these men are doing. This is nepotism. It needs to end today. It is prohibited by our government and by the state."

The prison ombudsman office has the authority to subpoena VADOC for records that will share information with incarcerated people and others about their rights, inspect state facilities and more, per the legislation.

Greenspan urged the ombudsman to continue the investigation into Red Onion State Prison and other high-security prisons with similar conditions, while parents advocated that the oversight legislation alone is not enough, and more needs to be done.