Urgent Appeal: Virginia Must Prioritize Inmate Health for a Safer Justice System

America has a major prison issue. The country has the highest incarceration rate among NATO nations. Virginia’s rate is particularly alarming at 679 people per 100,000, which is well above the national average of 614. The state’s prison system is not only vast but also fraught with serious health care problems, leading to injuries and deaths. Moreover, laws requiring universities to buy products from prison labor directly make them part of this troubling system. It’s clear that action is needed to reform both the prison system and how universities engage with it.

There are around 60,000 Virginians behind bars. About half are in state prisons run by the Virginia Department of Corrections, while the rest are in local jails. State prisons house inmates with sentences longer than a year, and jails hold people awaiting trial or serving shorter terms. Unfortunately, both systems struggle with the same alarming health and safety issues.

One notorious example is Red Onion State Prison in Wise County. In late 2024, inmates protested by intentionally harming themselves due to intolerable conditions. Reports of physical abuse, medical neglect, and poor food quality have surfaced. Many prisons in Virginia lack air conditioning, subjecting inmates to extreme heat. Red Onion has faced criticism for these human rights violations for over two decades.

Local jails aren’t any better. Since 2020, 18 inmates have died at Riverside Regional Jail in Prince George County, raising serious concerns about safety and health protocols. Similarly, a death at Richmond City Justice Center marked the fifth inmate fatality there in a year, attributed to inadequate staffing. The same issues plague Henrico County jails, where five deaths have also been linked to poor supervision of inmates.

While some issues stem from individual misconduct, many result from systemic problems. The Department of Corrections is experiencing a staffing crisis, particularly among medical staff. This shortage leaves inmates without necessary medical care, leading to dire situations in both prisons and jails. Yet, little is being done to improve inmate-to-staff ratios.

Compounding these issues is the state’s disinterest in lowering incarceration rates. Recently, Governor Glenn Youngkin proposed a plan that would make it harder for inmates to earn credits towards shorter sentences. This situation is exacerbated by high bail requirements, which mean that nearly half of all jailed Virginians are awaiting trial, not serving sentences. This contradiction shows the state’s lack of commitment to reducing incarceration while failing to provide adequate staffing in correctional facilities.

Incarceration in Virginia is often profit-driven. Prisons exploit inmates for labor, paying them almost nothing. This practice exploits a loophole in the Constitution, and it disproportionately affects Black individuals. Ending forced labor is essential, but addressing health issues must also be part of the larger conversation about racial inequality and economic exploitation.

To make real changes, the government needs to act decisively. Lowering bail would ease jail overcrowding, and allowing inmates to earn more credits could reduce prison populations. Additionally, investing in healthcare staffing in correctional facilities is crucial. Public awareness and outcry are also vital; without pushback from the community, reforms may stall.

As members of the University community, we must reflect on our involvement in these issues. The University benefits from a system that relies on prison labor, though it has limited choices in this regard. Nonetheless, it has a responsibility to advocate for change and work towards better conditions for inmates.

Incarceration does not strip individuals of their humanity. A just society must treat incarcerated people with dignity. Currently, Virginia’s prisons and jails fall short of this standard. It’s crucial for everyone, including the University and lawmakers, to engage in making the prison system more humane.

Nathaniel Carter is a senior associate opinion editor who covers health, technology, and the environment for The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at opinion@cavalierdaily.com.

The opinions expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Cavalier Daily.