Hello. This is the “Virginia Model Enabling Abuse.” Today is August 18. It’s a Monday. The Virginia Department of Corrections cannot hide or avoid what it has become, a bastion for state employees whose behavior falls squarely under the definition of state sponsored terrorism as provided by Black’s Law Dictionary. It then comes as no surprise that the Virginia DOC, at every level, as well as the courts, allow and support the abuses DOC staff engage in. How ironic that the DOC focuses, under threat, and forces many of its captives being held to participate in victim impact programs, even as they are victimized by staff. What follows are four examples of dangerous state actors: DOC staff, who are a threat to those being held captive, and by extension, the community and society at large. Enabling such harm is a hallmark of the Virginia Model, and what we report here has been documented.
The first example is Sergeant Alexander who has been noted, and reported previously, and still has a job. Caught repeatedly, openly refusing to follow policy and wantonly refusing the orders of his superiors, he has also violated the law in several instances. He represents a daily threat to all areas of the already unsafe prison environment. He does what he wants, however and whenever he wants, a behavior that has, in fact, led to reports of harm, both physical and psychological. Immediately, he reminds us of the pigs in Orwell’s Animal Farm. He is inept and incapable of doing his job or addressing challenges in a safe and proper manner. Instead of addressing these issues, the Virginia DOC, the Virginia Model, enables further problems. His main crime is the refusal to use his body camera, among other lesser things. Our next example is Sergeant Smith. Sergeant Smith is a leftover from Geo groups ill-fated mismanagement of Lawrenceville. He is, allegedly, a long time provider of contraband and has allegations of more serious criminal acts levied against him. He is a documented thief and very well known as a man who sexually harasses his fellow female staff. The last of these allegations is obvious by the way female staff avoid him and distance themselves.
The Virginia DOC seems to prefer this type of employee, evinced by the too many found in uniform and other positions. Our third example is especially problematic, and as an ally, I urge the LGBTQ+ community to address it promptly and seriously. Sergeant Powell is openly gay. In Itself, this is not any kind of problem whatsoever. Where strip searches are already acknowledged as a form of sexual assault, an openly gay prison guard, Sergeant, using his position to force strip searches, sometimes unnecessarily, is a problem. He is an obvious sexual predator who already has several complaints against him and his behaviors, including PREA Act [Prison Rape Elimination Act] violations. It is worth noting that numerous captives are being held for lesser crimes of a sexual nature and often without evidence. The bigger problem is the animosity towards the entire LGBTQ+ community that is being generated and enabled by the behaviors of Sergeant Powell, and this is being allowed unchecked by the Virginia DOC and its Virginia Model.
Our final example is Sergeant Lewandowski, an investigator and generally of low quality where character is of concern. On July 15, at approximately 3:15pm, she openly and on camera, threatened to manufacture a false 100 series major charge and “make it stick,” a major policy violation, abuse of power, and more. To add to that, the threat was made against an inmate advisor, whose job it is to provide advice and policy knowledge to prisoners facing charges from DOC staff. This is beyond uncalled for, and it was in response to the advisors’ politely informing her of a similar policy violation she was openly engaging in. The Virginia Model informs us that the bridge from threats of a charge to physical abuse is a short walk, indeed.
Finally, it’s worth noting that the central mail distribution center is now facing open allegations, from all corners, of theft, as it unjustifiably and arbitrarily claims that book vendors are being not approved, and then the books are “confiscated.” It turns out, according to staff who work there, that some of that stuff is being taken home and sold on the internet. Again, we see the Virginia Model is a societal cancer, harmful to those it holds in thrall and and those of the greater community. Every day we are reminded of just how inhumane the Virginia DOC, and by extension the state of Virginia, truly is. More casualties appear by the month and week as the Virginia Model destroys one human being after the next. And it is unlikely that legislation will solve this decades old deprivation. Just recently, another person was shot and possibly killed at Wallens Ridge. My name is David Annarelli. I’m a journalist – prisonjournalismproject.org, davidannarelli.wordpress.com, you can find me on Instagram @David_Annarelli Thank you very much.
These commentaries are recorded by Prison Radio.
