Prison Like Conditions Archives - Just Future Project

Testimonial

The system here is rigged

I am a resident at VCBR. I have been here since November, 2009. I was arrested in 1999 and supposedly released from DOC in 2008. BUT..I was held at Sussex I State Prison waiting to enter civil commitment at VCBR. I have been to court many times, first waiting to be committed and then every year since being committed fighting for my release.. I am now dealing with my second court appointed lawyer. I have witnessed so many things here at VCBR that are biased, unfair and possibly illegal and unconstitutional. We are sex offenders, released from prison, yet still…

Efforts to bring about changes rebuffed

Efforts to bring about changes rebuffed; Reg In July, I sent to a state legislator a list of conditions in the facility which were less than acceptable. This resulted in a return letter to the facilities manager at VCBR by the delegate. The facilities manager (warden) then wrote to me. He rebuffed all of my statements as incorrect. I noted that there was no AC in rooms, black mold was growing in the showers, massive amounts of food were going in the trash, guards were using metal handcuffs and orange suits (like in prison) when the residents are taken off…

Guilty but innocent

I had surgery and was on pain medication. It was finished. I had no more. Staff said I gave the rest to another person. I did not. I was made to retake a class because of an infraction. Bill

Physical abuse

A guard at VBCBR verbally abused me. I brought the incident to the notice of the administration. It was under investigation according to a written document which I received from the Director’s office. While a case is being investigated, the 2 parties are not to communicate at all. The officer named in the accusation came to search my room. I told him he shouldn’t be there. When the guard noticed me leaning against the door frame as he talked, the group of officers “took me down.” I was put in isolation for a week and incurred a very serious finger…

False charges

I was stopped by a guard while leaving the cafeteria. The guard said I had a sandwich in my pocket. The guard wrote up an observation note for my file, even though the charge wasn’t true. Bert

Shackled and humiliated

I am taken to VCU Medical Center often for treatment. As a resident of a treatment facility, not an inmate in a prison, I should not have to wear a jumpsuit and wrist and leg shackles. Yet I must do this each time I go to the hospital. I am also not supposed to be within sight and sound of inmates from the department of Corrections who are held in a “holding cell” before their appointments. I am usually within sight and sound of them. Jay