Human Rights Violations in Virginia State Prisons-gctid27825

[Ɔbenfo Ọbádélé]

**forwarded from Becky Sambol
703-463-0558
Catsambol (at) aol.com

Re: Kevin "Rashid" Johnson, #185492, Red Onion State Prison

I am writing about an urgent matter. I am choosing my words carefully
when
I say I have reason to believe that Rashid's life is in danger. Some
of you
already know some of the background on the current situation.

On Sunday, February 18, 2007 I visited Rashid with Lillie
Branch-Kennedy of
Resource Information Help for the Disadvantaged (RIHD). At the time of
our
visit, Rashid reported to me that earlier that morning he had been
racially
attacked, maced repeatedly, that his cell was not decontaminated, and
he was
denied a shower and medical attention: his nose was bleeding and he was
in
respiratory distress.
I received a letter in which he reported that immediately after our
visit,
his life was threatened and he was slammed into the wall by C.O.
Dutton. The
transcript of that letter is included below. Also included as an
attachment
is the complete report he sent me about the abuses to which he and
other
prisoners have been subjected. I have highlighted the part that
concerns
Rashid, but as you will read there are many other prisoners being
abused.

As you know, In May 2006 Rashid was tortured with a stun belt, after
which
he urinated blood for weeks. The abuse and torture continues and is now
reaching a higher level. I was planning to go down to see him again
this
weekend, but just received word that his visitation privileges have
been
suspended.
Earlier this week, I was told that his mail privileges had been
suspended,
but I talked to Counselor Stallard at Red Onion State Prison yesterday
(Friday, March 2), and he assured me that Kevin is able to receive
mail, a
right
which is guaranteed by federal law. However, as you know, there have
been
numerous problems with mail delay and obstruction, and there is no way
of
knowing whether he will be receiving mail until one of us receives his
next letter.

In the meantime, Rashid is now completely isolated, which leaves him
completely vulnerable to grave physical harm.

If you can make one call, please call Warden Tracy Ray at Red Onion
State
Prison (276-796-7510) and check on Rashid on Monday March 5 or as soon
as
possible. The Warden needs to know that people are aware of the
situation so
that the guards do not take this "opportunity" to harm him- or worse.

If you can, please also call:
Gene Johnson, Director of the Virginia DOC, at (804) 674-3119
Governor Kaine, at (804) 786-2211

Issues that need to be addressed regarding Kevin Johnson, #185492:
-Harassment, threats, and abusive treatment by guards, especially C.
Dutton
-Mail obstruction
-Revoking of visiting privileges
-Access to regular meals and medical care
I am also including the contact information for other Department of
Corrections officials and government officials at the bottom of this
email, so if you
are able, please contact them as well.

We have contacted Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, AFSC
Prison
Watch, the Virginia ACLU, and Prison Legal News. If there is any other
individual or organization you feel might be willing to advocate on
behalf of
Rashid, please contact them as well.
Also please feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions
and
please circulate this information.

There is the famous saying from a guard to a political prisoner, "You
are
still alive because too many people care about you."

Thank you all for supporting Rashid. His life and safety depend on all
the
support he can get.
becky sambol
703-463-0558
Catsambol (at) aol.com