Originally published in the Winter 2024 edition of the Virginia Defender, issue 74, printed February 21. Reproduced here for accessibility and archival purposes. To find other stories in the Winter 2024 issue or to download the full PDF, see this post. For other issues dating back to 2012, see the Full Issues page.

Every day is a struggle being locked up at Red Onion State Prison, but it’s even worse when the Administration fails to adhere to their own policy.

Red Onion is a Level 5 maximum security prison and is “supposed” to be run by a number of “ Operating Procedures” that govern Virginia D.O.C.

For example, per Operating Producer 804.1 (Inmate Privileges by Security Level) states that we are to receive a MINIMUM of 7 hours of out of cell rec daily. However, we are only given about 3, on a good day.

It has been proven that anything under this 7 hour minimum is inhumane because of the mental tax it causes the person being confined to a small area for long periods of time. Now add this with another person locked in it with you, using the restroom in front of each other (#1 & #2), body odor, bad food, etc., and all the while this area being as small as a common apartment bathroom (smh.. unbelievable).

Since being at this prison I’ve never received 7 hours of rec and the excuses that’s always given is it’s because they are “short staffed” or “institutional maintenance purposes.” (Come on, man #Freedaguys).

so you mean to tell me in 2 & ½ years – that’s about 900 days STRAIGHT! – this Level 5 supermax prison that houses all these so-called “extremely dangerous” inmates hasn’t had a full roster of employees?? (gasp!!) & this prison is breaking down??(OMG!!).

So to all my good working folk of VA, who get taxes deducted from their hard-earned check to keep this place up & running, wouldn’t y’all like to know where ALL this money is going?? Surely it’s not to a “understaffed/rinky-dink” prison. let’s ponder, hmmn??

Simply put, we’re not asking for “4 seasons” treatment, but since when is human life placed below that of a house pet?? Come on, people, we have to do better.

Greg Azeez

RED ONION STATE PRISON