by John Reid

On the eve of two potential bills reaching their deadline which could help incarcerated persons, there are ways you can let your voice be heard to address what has been happening in places such as Virginia’s Red Onion and Wallers Ridge prisons.

Tomorrow at 11:59pm is the deadline for Governor Youngkin to take action on VA Senate Bill 1409 and House Bill 2647, which in summary states: “Prohibits the use of isolated confinement, defined in the bill, in state correctional facilities, subject to certain exceptions. The bill requires that before placing an incarcerated person in restorative housing or isolated confinement for his own protection, the facility administrator shall place an incarcerated person in a less restrictive setting, including by transferring such person to another institution or to a special-purpose housing unit for incarcerated persons who face similar threats. The bill requires that if an incarcerated person is placed in restorative housing or isolated confinement, such placement shall be reviewed every 48 hours and the facility administrator shall ensure that the incarcerated person receives a medical and mental health evaluation from certified medical and mental health professionals within one working day of placement in restorative housing or any form of isolated confinement.”

In the meantime, thanks to the work of organizations like CCCAN Virginia, you can reach out to 804-625-3255 and press option 2 to report on waste, fraud, and abuse in prisons to leave a message. According to CCCAN Virginia, only 16 people were pardoned in the state last year. You can also email osig@osig.virginia.gov. If you know anyone who is parole eligible, you can use the message below:

“Hello, I would like to report an abuse of power by the Virginia Parole Board. For 9 months, the Virginia Parole Board has intentionally breached their legal duties to:

1. Provide parole eligible prisoners their investigative records pursuant to Virginia law code 53.1-155 (A).
2. Convene a public meeting before making a decision of each prisoners’ parole allowing prisoners or their attorneys to be present before the final decision is reached pursuant to VA code 53.1-136 (10).

Please address and rectify this blatant flouting of the law immediately.”