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U.S. investigates Virginia prison
By Washington Post
Published: 10/16/2000

The U.S. Department of Justice has opened an investigation into allegations that officers at one of Virginia's 'super-max' prisons have used excessive force against inmates, including improper use of firearms, stun guns and restraints.
Red Onion State Prison in Wise County opened in 1998 to house dangerous prisoners serving long-term sentences. Inmates have complained about racism, excessive violence and inhumane conditions, according to the New York-based Human Rights Watch.
In a Sept. 26 letter to Gov. James S. Gilmore III, Assistant Attorney General Bill Lann Lee said the department's Civil Rights Division will investigate 'whether conditions at Red Onion violate the federal constitutional rights of the inmates confined there.'
Virginia officials yesterday said they are unaware of inappropriate activity involving employees at Red Onion.
'The Justice Department is well aware that Virginia has the best-managed, safest prisons in the nation,' said David Botkins, spokesman for Attorney General Mark L. Earley (R). 'We will review DOJ's letter and await any specific allegations or requests they have.'
The investigation is the latest response to allegations of improper treatment at Red Onion and its sister prison, Wallens Ridge State Prison in Big Stone Gap. Both are super-maximum-security prisons that house inmates from Virginia and out of state.  Together, they have 700 cells dedicated to 23-hour-a-day solitary confinement and can house 2,400 inmates.
Red Onion and Wallens Ridge were built as part of a program launched by former governor George Allen (R) to hold an expected swell of prisoners as Virginia abolished parole and lengthened sentences. But the numbers have been lower than expected, and Virginia has contracted with other states to house inmates. 
Human Rights Watch members have argued that the use of non-lethal rubber pellets to control prisoners can be inhumane and that too many inmates don't require such extreme security.
'Human Rights Watch is extremely pleased that the persistent and serious allegations of misconduct by Red Onion State Prison staff will finally be subjected to a thorough and impartial investigation,' said Jamie Fellner, a group spokeswoman.
Del. Brian J. Moran (D-Alexandria), a member of the Virginia State Crime Commission, said that the group has heard 'a number of complaints' about the super-max prisons and that several members visited Red Onion last week.
'Hopefully the violations that have been alleged are not true and the department has nothing to hide,' Moran said. 'But an investigation at this point is probably prudent.'
Another commission member, Del. David B. Albo (R-Fairfax), a defense attorney, noted that officers at Red Onion are dealing with dangerous criminals. He said he has visited similar prisons and watched officers being pelted with food and excrement.
'A lot of people don't understand that the people in super-max are really bad people,' Albo said.  'It's not like we are taking care of college students who are minding their own business.'
Virginia Department of Corrections Director Ronald J. Angelone has said the use of nonlethal 'stinger rounds' and other strict security measures are necessary to protect corrections officers from inmates who can be volatile.
Angelone said yesterday in a prepared statement he is 'confident that the Department of Justice's investigation into conditions at Red Onion State Prison will reaffirm Virginia's commitment to constitutionally sound correctional principals.'


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