virginia coalition on solitary confinement: Live & Latest News Updates : Vimarsana.com

Five Things to Know About… Sylvia Ryerson's 'Calls from Home'

A student’s film examines a radio station that broadcasts messages of support to incarcerated people across Appalachia — and takes aim at mass incarceration.

Virginia solitary confinement reform bill passes but without key piece sought by advocates

A bill to reform how prisoners are treated in solitary confinement has been voted into law with some new guidelines added, but without a cap on how long inmates can

Virginia solitary confinement reform bill passes but without key piece sought by advocates

Virginia officials call it 'restorative housing.' Critics say it's still solitary confinement.

Kenneth Hunter, who was released in 2021 and now lives in Lynchburg, said just looking at pictures of cages at Red Onion prison haunts him.

Why do so many die in state custody and is there enough oversight of Virginia prisons?

One of the most volatile topics in public safety relates to solitary confinement in Virginia prisons. Prisoner rights advocates have been pushing for years to end a practice which Virginia prison administrators say, technically, does not exist in our state. What they describe instead as “restorative housing” is the subject of a new report... Mandated this year by the general assembly and published on December first. The Virginia Coalition on Solitary Confinement was also assigned as a partner to study the restorative housing program and determine how to safely curb use of the practice. But the coalition pulled out of the research and issued its own report. Citing a refusal by corrections officials to allow outside oversight of the research. In fact, they say that the lack of oversight of daily prison practices can mean life or death for the incarcerated. And can impact all of us when prisoners are released into society. In January, the Virginia Prison Justice Network will hold its sixth annual prison justice rally. The American Civil Liberties Union will begin discovery in its federal lawsuit against the step-down program, a key component of the restorative housing program, in the ACLU’s effort to dismantle the program... And William Pettigrew will face trial for the murder of Anwar Phillips--- one year after Phillips was discovered dead in his cell.

Evangelical Activists Push for Solitary Confinement Reform

As Virginia legislators study the issue, faith groups point to evidence isolation is unfair and ineffective.

Activists campaign to end solitary confinement in Virginia

Human rights activists are actively campaigning in Virginia to outlaw the practice of solitary confinement in the state. But Virginia’s Department of Corrections flatly denies the use of solitary confinement in its prisons.

Legislature again punts on bill to scale back solitary confinement in prisons

Legislature again punts on bill to scale back solitary confinement in prisons

Legislation that would have restricted the use of solitary confinement in state prisons was again stopped in the General Assembly.

Legislature again punts on bill to scale back solitary confinement in prisons

Legislation that would have restricted the use of solitary confinement in state prisons was again stopped in the General Assembly.