Dear Friend,
It was Kevin “Rashid” Johnson’s courageous phone call reporting from the infirmary that broke the story of prisoners setting themselves on fire at Red Onion State Prison. Now, his words have traveled all over the world.
When Rashid called in this powerful and painful report, our executive director, Noelle Hanrahan, called Natasha White, director of community engagement with The Interfaith Action for Human Rights. We were able to speak with one of the men who had burned himself: Ekong Eshiet. His sister, Memories Eshiet, and his mother, Marsha Prichett, both confirmed that half a dozen men had set themselves on fire. We put the audio on our website and pushed it out through our network of radio stations around the country. The story, authored by folks inside, was picked up and circulated. The Virginia Defender further covered the story and hosted a Richmond meeting last weekend.
Publications such as “The Take” Al Jazeera, the New York Times, NBC News, and The Guardian reported on the story. Prison Radio was credited as a crucial source. Quotes from Johnson and Eshiet’s commentaries appeared in their reporting. Prison Radio’s commentaries provided a first-person account and gave these newsrooms no excuse but to highlight the words of incarcerated people.
Our commentaries have also reached lawmakers. Virginia’s Legislative Black Caucus and the ACLU have called for an investigation, and Governor Glenn Youngkin expressed concerns about Red Onion in a news conference.
Your support, actions, and donations make Red Onion voices heard.
For decades Prison Radio has built a relationship of trust with people on the inside, cementing ourselves as a reliable outlet and connection to the outside world. Our work allows people to express and narrate the experience of being incarcerated in our violent carceral system.
We first recorded Kevin “Rashid” Johnson over twelve years ago. Since then, he has recorded over 30 commentaries. Prison Radio has amplified his art and writing. You can find his work on his Prison Radio page, and on his own site: rashidmod.com
When Rashid saw people at Red Onion burning themselves in protest of prison conditions he knew where to call. Your donations have allowed us to keep our phone lines on for over a decade, reliable and steadfast. From PA to Huron Valley Michigan, to Red Onion Virginia, Prison Radio can only investigate, publish and organize if you support our work.
We are continuing to cover this story. We are going to bring a bring white hot spotlight onto conditions and cases in VA. We recorded Kevin Rashid Johnson on Saturday night Dec. 7th after he had been transferred out of Red Onion to general population. We will continue to push for abolition and accountability.
We are calling our network to action!
Email, write & phone email Corrine A. Louden Deputy Inspector General at the Office of the State Inspector General. She is the supervisor of the new Prison Ombudsperson office for Virginia.
corrine.louden@osig.virginia.gov
(804)625-3251
FAX: (804)371-0165
P.O. Box 1151 Richmond, VA 23218.
Other emails: glenn.youngkin@governor.virginia.gov; chadwick.dotson@vadoc.virginia.gov
Demand:
- An immediate investigation into the conditions at Red Onion State Prison- the brutality, racism, retaliation that have led to self-inflicted burnings and hunger strikes.
- An end to solitary confinement now or any other euphemisms to describe restricted housing.
- The restoration of phone and tablets to ALL prisoners. So that they can communicate with their loved ones and ensure that humane treatment of all incarcerated individuals, ensuring their basic rights.
***If you live in Richmond Virginia, please attend the Legislative Corrections Oversight Committee Meeting on December 13th, 2024 at 9am. Patrick Henry Building, East Reading Room, Richmond, VA commonwealthcalendar.virginia.gov/Event/Details/69535
- Stay up to date with the conditions at Red Onion State Prison and listen to the following commentaries on our Red Onion State Prison Update page.
- Help us continue to build relationships with journalists inside, investigate injustice and raise awareness about abuse. Consider a donation to Prison Radio today.
In Solidarity,
Madeliene Matz
Prison Radio