Hunger Strike Launched at Red Onion State Prison in Virginia

Report on hunger-strike launched at the Red Onion State Prison in so-called Virginia.

On Tuesday, December 26th, 2023, several prisoners confined at Virginia’s Red Onion State Prison began a hunger strike to protest the continued use of long-term solitary confinement within the institution. Despite critical concern, outcry from the public and prisoner populations in the state, incarcerated people are still subjected to this brutal practice which has been renamed “restorative housing” since July 1st, 2023 when measures were passed to limit its use in the state.

Leading these prisoners in this effort is longtime prison activist, revolutionary writer and artist, Kevin “Rashid” Johnson. Rashid has stated that no one will take any food at all until demands are met. Some of the strike participants have underlying health concerns that make the undertaking of such a demonstration particularly risky. Rashid, himself, is recovering from multiple rounds of radiation to treat prostate cancer as well as suffering from untreated heart disease/congestive heart failure. This is why the public’s support is especially needed. We are asking that calls, emails, and letters be sent to the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) officials as well as Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin’s office voicing support for the strikers and condemnation for the inhumane use of long-term solitary confinement/restorative housing.

The demonstration is happening in an effort to protest and shed light on VADOC’s continued practice of long-term solitary confinement. There are several participants who have underlying health conditions making this hunger strike particularly dangerous for them, Rashid included. But they believe in this issue. The prisoners involved are as follows:

• Kevin “Rashid” Johnson (1007485)
• Jason Barrett (1092874)
• Rodney Lester (1429887)
• Charles Cousino (2213403)
• Eric Thompson (1208012)
• Joe Thomas (1193196)
• Nguyen Tuan (1098070)

During the strike, it is being asked that supporters contact the Virginia Department of Corrections as well as the governor of VA to demand an end to this controversial practice. We also need to let them know that the hunger strikers have our full support.

The contact info is as follows:

VADOC; Central Administration
USPS—P.O. Box 26963
Richmond, VA 23261

David Robinson

Phone: 804-887-8078
Email: [email protected]

Virginia DOC: Director, Chadwick S Dotson
Phone: (804) 674-3081
Email: [email protected]

VADOC, Central Administration Rose L. Durbin
Phone: 804-887-7921
Email: [email protected]

Beth Cabell, Division of Institutions Email: [email protected]
Phone: (804)834-9967

Gov. Glenn Youngkin
Phone: (804)786-2211 [email protected]

For further updates, see Kevin Rashid Johnson’s website here.