Back in spotlight: Virginia's six year legal battle over solitary confinement

Back in the spotlight: Virginia's 6-year legal battle over solitary confinement

Solitary confinement was supposed to be eradicated in Virginia. Inmates say that isn't the case, and their six-year lawsuit drags on.

Back in spotlight: Virginia's six-year legal battle over solitary confinement

For nearly six years, Virginia’s prisons have been fighting allegations that they callously lock away prisoners for years in solitary confinement.

After Self-Immolations at Red Onion Prison, Virginia Prisoners Allege Crackdown

Besides an overhead light, Sidney Bowman says he hasn’t had electricity in his cell at Virginia’s Red Onion State Prison for roughly three months.  Last month, Bowman told a federal court that prison employees cut the electricity to his cell after he refused to sign what staff call a “Safety Agreement for Inmates.” The document offers incentives to prisoners—such as movies, group recreation, free commissary bags, and a fish fry—provided they don…

Back in spotlight: Virginia's six year legal battle over solitary confinement

For nearly six years, Virginia’s prisons have been fighting allegations that they callously lock away prisoners for years in solitary confinement.