“I would rather die before I stay up here, because every day I’m dealing with discrimination, whether it’s about my race, my last name, or my religion.” Ekong Eshiet, Red Onion State Prison.
Imagine being so tormented, isolated, and stripped of humanity that setting yourself on fire feels like the only way out. This is the horrifying reality for Ekong Eshiet, a young Black man incarcerated at Virginia’s Red Onion State Prison, and his story speaks to the tragic depths of abuse faced by those within the U.S. prison system. Ekong and his mother, Marsha Pritchard, reveal a pattern of relentless abuse, blatant racism, and severe neglect that led him to self-immolate—one of eleven prisoners to take this drastic step at Red Onion.
Kevin “Rashid” Johnson first alerted us to the crisis at Red Onion, bringing this story to light.
Ekong’s sister and mother called us and described his hospitalization. And then Ekong called. Since arriving at Red Onion in June 2024, Ekong has been subject to racial abuse, medical neglect, and psychological torment. Officers have withheld his medications, spit in his food, taken his lifeline to the outside world his tablet, violated his Quran, and used racial slurs.
Ms. Pritchard describes the horrific racial abuse:
They call him ‘monkey,’ call him ‘n****r,’ and
twist his name, ‘Eshiet,’ into ‘eat sh–t.’”
The abuse extends to Ekong’s religious beliefs. When guards recently raided his cell, they threw his Quran onto the floor.
On Saturday Ekong told his mother they pepper-sprayed him and tazed him, and rubbed pepper spray directly into his burn wounds. They then beat him all because he is speaking out. Ekong fears for his life. According to Ms Pritchard, the prison has deliberately altered Ekong’s medications.
She pleads: “My son has been on medications
for years without issues. I worry every day
if they are poisoning him.”
Ekong has bravely continued a hunger strike to protest these abuses, but the administration has so far refused to address his and others concerns.
The folks at Red Onion do not stand alone. Prison Radio and Virginia activists are standing with them.
“This was not an isolated act of desperation. Since then, nine more men at Red Onion have reached their breaking point, resorting to similar tragic measures. These are not protests but cries for help from individuals pushed to the brink by a system designed to rehabilitate but instead breeds despair. This cannot be ignored. Let this serve as a call to action for every person of conscience to demand accountability, transparency, and an end to the gruesome practices within our prison systems.”
– Natasha White of the Interfaith Action for Human Rights
- Support Ekong’s demand to be moved from Red Onion, let the Warden know that we are watching his conditions and he is not alone: David Anderson, Warden; Red Onion State Prison; Phone: (276) 796-7510; 10800 H. Jack Rose Highway; Pound VA 24279
- Share Rashid’s and Ekong’s report from Prison Radio
- Share Interfaith Action for Human Right’s statement
- If you live in VA, join Interfaith Action for Human Rights (IAHR) and contact your local legislators and call for accountability and reform at Red Onion State Prison. Every voice counts in this fight for justice. Find your legislator here: https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov
What we can do:
Let’s make our voices heard. Call Red Onion State Prison at (276) 796-7510 and demand the following:
- Immediate Investigation into the incidents of self-harm and conditions leading to these tragedies.
- Transparency regarding the use of solitary confinement and the prison’s mental health policies.
- Humane Treatment for all incarcerated individuals, ensuring their basic rights are respected.
When calling, you can say:
“I’m calling to express my deep concern about reports of self-inflicted burnings and harsh conditions at Red Onion State Prison. I demand an immediate investigation and humane reforms to end the inhumane treatment of incarcerated people. Their lives matter.”
Tommy Phan, Prison Radio Staff engineer
PS: We are grateful that the staff at Prison Radio was able to amplify this information and begin to try and honor the narrative of the prisoners themselves. This is their story, their humanity, and we are proud to stand with them.