Stories from South Central WV

02/05/2018

If you were incarcerated in South Central during the 2014 chemical spill, you may be eligible for money from this settlement.

File a claim NOW! Deadline to file is Feb 21st.

Prisoners at the time of the chemical spill should fill out the simple claim form and the sworn verification of residence form.

If you know current prisoners who resided in the area impacted by the spill, they can fill out a claim form from jail or prison.

If you have questions, get in touch!

https://www.wvwaterclaims.com/

As part of the Freedom Chemical Spill class action settlement, eligible West Virginia residents, businesses, and hourly workers can receive payments by filing claims.

12/27/2017

Three lawsuits filed Tuesday. Male correctional officers sexually harassed, sought sexual favors from and engaged in sexual abuse of three women while they were serving sentences, and this is how the system is set up to work.

Three women are suing the West Virginia Division of Corrections and three correctional officers who they said sexually abused them.The Charleston Gazette-Mail reported that three lawsuits filed Tuesday say male correctional officers sexually harassed, soug

09/14/2017

"The jail population is now frequently more than 5,000 inmates or about 800 more prisoners than there are beds."

In West Virginia jails, there are growing problems as the jail population reaches a new record number.That’s created security and money issues and could lead to civil rights lawsuits that could mandate changes the state might not be able to afford.The jail

04/06/2017

"Stroebel, who represents about 30 current and former inmates who have filed lawsuits against the Jail Authority alleging excessive force by the Special Response Team, said both he and his client feel strongly about the video being made public."

The lawyer for an inmate, who alleges correctional officers threw flash-bang grenades inside his cell, urged West Virginia Supreme Court Justices on Tuesday to agree with a prior ruling made by a Kanawha County judge and make video of the incident public.

02/01/2017

: Discretion advised. a very tense situation out of Delaware. Correctional officers have reportedly been taken hostage by inmates.

the latest updates in this story: http://bit.ly/2krHToP

11/20/2016

Negligence and abuse are way too common!

ELKINS, W.Va. (AP) – A former jail guard has pleaded guilty to two federal charges, admitting he used excessive force against inmates at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail.

11/01/2016

Prison-industrial complex at its finest:

"For at least four years, West Virginia Corrections Commissioner Jim Rubenstein had the use of a rent-free garage apartment provided by a state prison subcontractor, according to an investigative report." ...

"Taking into account the $3,600 [WV Corrections Commissioner Jim] Rubenstein paid for furniture, he had use of the apartment for the equivalent of $75 per month over four years, investigators concluded. Similar apartments near the state Capitol Complex cost $350 to $795 a month, according to the report.

Rubenstein and [Terrence] Rusin[, CEO of the company that provides mental health services to state prisons,] are longtime friends, according to the report. The two serve as officers for the West Virginia Corrections Training Foundation, a nonprofit group."

For at least four years, West Virginia Corrections Commissioner Jim Rubenstein had the use of a rent-free garage apartment provided by a state prison subcontractor, according to an investigative report.

10/05/2016

"Stay resilient with it never give up faith, never give up hope. It may seem bleak but understand as long as you've got breath, you've got hope. I didn't do the crimes. I've heard naysayer's for 27 years, and I've heard people say this and say that makes no difference. I know I didn't do this crime." - Jimmie Gardner

After 27 years, Judge Goodwin calls a "miscarriage of justice."

On Wednesday, Kanawha County Prosecutor Chuck Miller said the prosecuting attorney's office would be dropping the charges against Jimmie Gardner.

09/29/2016

“At 6:00, no officers came to work. None came to work. None of the officers came to work. They completely bucked on the administration. No more will they be pawns in the game.”

A group of guards at an Alabama prison went on strike this weekend, out of solidarity with inmates protesting overcrowding and unjust labor practices. Strikes and work stoppages have rolled through the nation’s prisons following the 45th anniversary of the Attica uprising earlier this month.

09/24/2016

The nationwide prison strike that began September 9 is becoming the largest prison strike in US history.

More than 24,000 inmates in at least 40 prisons from over two dozen states have refused to follow orders, failing to report for work and causing prisons to go on lockdown, since the nationwide prison work strike.

From Alabama to Michigan to Texas, despite the isolation of prisons and a desire to cover-up news of the work stoppages by correctional departments, reports are leaking of widespread disruption at prisons.

More than 24,000 inmates in at least 40 prisons from over two dozen states have refused to follow orders, failing to report for work and causing prisons to go on lockdown, since the nationwide prison work strike began in early September.

08/18/2016

The US Justice Department will phase out use of privately owned prisons, citing safety concerns.

US Justice Department will phase out use of privately owned prisons, citing safety concerns

08/12/2016

September 9th National Prison Strike Information

"This is a Call to Action Against Slavery in America

In one voice, rising from the cells of long term solitary confinement, echoed in the dormitories and cell blocks from Virginia to Oregon, we prisoners across the United States vow to finally end slavery in 2016.

On September 9th of 1971 prisoners took over and shut down Attica, New York State’s most notorious prison. On September 9th of 2016, we will begin an action to shut down prisons all across this country. We will not only demand the end to prison slavery, we will end it ourselves by ceasing to be slaves."

September 9th National Prison Strike Information and Resources On September 9th, 1971 prisoners took over and shut down Attica, New York State’s most notoriously cruel prison. On September 9th of 2016, prisoners in the US who have been forced into slavery by corrupt politicians and greedy c...

08/03/2016

http://www.theet.com/news/local/seven-inmates-face-charges-after-riot-at-central-regional-jail/article_95399906-82d0-5eb7-89d5-b8ab352cd572.html

FLATWOODS — Seven inmates from the Central Regional Jail in Flatwoods face charges after rioting in a portion of the facility last weekend, an official confirmed.

07/08/2016

FUND SCHOOLS, NOT PRISONS!

Surprisingly honest analysis of our state's messed up priorities on the front page of today's Charleston Gazette-Mail:

"Over nearly 35 years, West Virginia’s spending on jails and prisons has increased more than five times faster than its spending on K-12 public education, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Education.

While every state’s corrections spending grew at a much faster rate from 1980 to 2013 than did its education spending, the disparity in West Virginia was among the highest in the nation, the report, released Thursday, said.
..
When population changes are taken into account, the difference between West Virginia’s prison spending growth and its school spending growth is the third-highest in the country.

West Virginia, in other words, still spends more on educating its children than on locking up prisoners, but the gap is narrowing, and narrowing more quickly than almost anywhere else in the country."

- See more at: http://www.wvgazettemail.com/news-politics/20160707/us-study-wv-should-redirect-some-prison-funding-to-schools .uw0KwNC7.dpuf

http://www.wvgazettemail.com/news-politics/20160707/us-study-wv-should-redirect-some-prison-funding-to-schools .uw0KwNC7.dpuf

07/07/2016

Our friends & allies run a hospitality house providing free housing and support for friends & family of women incarcerated at the federal prison camp in Alderson, WV — but the building where they live, work, and provide hospitality was destroyed by recent flooding. Can you pitch in to help them start over?

Help support ALDERSON HOSPITALITY HOUSE LAND TRUST INC on Razoo! Donate or click "Share" below to spread the word.

07/01/2016

Advocates should make their voices heard to demand a more accurate count

06/21/2016

"It has been a very successful program that gives first-time, teen offenders a second chance." Teen court is a legally binding alternative system of justice that offers young offenders an outlet to make restitution for their offences through community service, educational classes and jury service and to not start a record and give them a fresh start.
http://www.tribdem.com/news/jail-time-mineral-county-west-virginia-considers-teen-court-as/article_5f2874ca-324c-11e6-8f29-5fa8db89cfbb.html

KEYSER, W.Va. – Angie McQuaid believes the benefit of a court system for teenagers is that "it makes them responsible for their actions."

06/17/2016

Prisoners are standing up - about half a dozen Wisconsin prison inmates have begun refusing food as part of a protest against long-term isolation known as administrative confinement

About half a dozen Wisconsin prison inmates have begun refusing food as part of a protest against long-term isolation known as administrative...