Maceo Peoples: Another Self-Immolation Swept Under the Rug

By: UPROAR Admin · February 6, 2026

Protect Maceo Peoples – Stop Torture & Medical Neglect After Self-Immolation (Wallens Ridge → Red Onion)

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Who: Maceo Peoples (#1716355), currently at Red Onion State Prison (ROSP), formerly at Wallens Ridge State Prison (WRSP) in D-3.
What he reports: a mental-health crisis and self-immolation on May 17, 2025 after deprivation of mental-health care, followed by torture and deliberate medical neglect at WRSP and a continuation of neglect and a new assault after transfer to ROSP.

🎧 Listen: Maceo in his own words (Jan 16, 2026 call)

This is the call where he describes the crisis, self-immolation, forced walking on burns, denied care, and ongoing neglect. Use it to ground your calls and emails in his actual language.

🚦 Quick Start — Pick 1 (Each Action Takes ~1–3 Minutes)

You don’t need an hour. If you only do the essentials, go: Step 1 Call → Step 2 Oversight Email → Step 3 Report Back. All scripts are below — copy, paste, and send.

Read the Red Alert (30–60 seconds) to understand what Maceo reports and what to demand.
Make one quick call (60–90 seconds) to Wallens Ridge / Red Onion / Western Region / VADOC using the short script.
Send the one-click oversight email (1–2 minutes) to DOC leadership + oversight officials.
Report what you did so UPROAR can track pressure and coordinate follow-up.

📄 Evidence 🚨 Case & Context 📞 Step 1 – Call ✉️ Step 2 – Oversight Email ✅ Step 3 – Report Back

Goal: Protect Maceo Peoples now, force preservation of evidence, stop torture and medical neglect, and push for accountability for the officers and medical staff allegedly responsible at Wallens Ridge and Red Onion.

This campaign is part of UPROAR — Uniting Prisoners’ Relatives Organizing Against Repression. We create receipts, put officials on written notice, and build public pressure until there is outside review and real protection.

📄 Evidence – What We’re Relying On

This campaign is based on:

Phone call with Maceo on January 16, 2026 (audio above), where he describes the chain: deprivation of mental-health care, self-immolation, torture, and ongoing neglect.
Grievance WRSP-25W-04189, in which Major Hall dismisses his description of torture and forced walking on burns as “proper procedure” and characterizes his injuries as “minor.”
Regional grievance WRSP-25-REG-004077, in which Captain Bailey upholds the finding after “review of body cameras,” despite his third-degree burns and staph infection.
Ongoing reports from his family and UPROAR advocates regarding continuing neglect and a new assault at Red Onion.

As additional written materials (full transcript, scanned grievances, incident reports) are collected and redacted, they can be added here as a single downloadable packet. For now, use the audio and the summary below to fuel your calls and emails.

🚨 What Maceo Peoples Reports (Wallens Ridge → Red Onion)

🚨 Red Alert — Torture & Medical Neglect After Self-Immolation During Mental-Health Crisis

The summary below is based on Maceo Peoples’ direct report to UPROAR and his written grievances. These are allegations requiring independent investigation.

Wallens Ridge — mental-health crisis, self-immolation, and torture (May 17 & 26, 2025):

After what he describes as intentional deprivation of mental-health services and a punitive climate of “conscious disregard,” Maceo reports he entered a severe crisis on May 17, 2025 in D-3 at Wallens Ridge State Prison.
In that state, he set his legs on fire, suffering third-degree burns. Instead of emergency care, he reports that staff treated this as an opportunity to punish and “set an example.”
He names Sgt. Lewis and Lt. Kelly as using unauthorized force: he was denied a wheelchair, forced to walk on his burned leg while shackled, accused of “refusing to walk,” and when he collapsed from pain, he reports they labeled it “resisting.”
He reports being “suspended by his cuffs,” drugged, and restrained instead of being stabilized and treated, describing this as sadistic torture for having survived self-immolation.
He names Lt. Gilly as failing to protect him in the lead-up to the crisis.
On the medical side, he reports that Head Nurse Deal and other staff denied him proper wound care for his third-degree burns, letting them worsen until he developed a staph infection.
In grievance responses WRSP-25W-04189 and WRSP-25-REG-004077, Major Hall and Captain Bailey dismiss his burns as “minor injuries” and the torture as “proper procedure,” even after reviewing cameras.

Red Onion — continued medical neglect & new assault (~Oct 2025 – Jan 16, 2026):

After transfer to Red Onion State Prison around October 2025, Maceo reports he still did not receive the daily wound care his burns and infection required. He describes this as a continuation of deliberate indifference and retaliation for speaking up.
He reports that the staph infection in his burns remained untreated, leaving him in constant pain and at risk of systemic infection.
He describes a new physical assault where an officer at Red Onion slammed his head into the ground — compounding the trauma of his already-untreated burns.
He is in segregation / restrictive housing, isolated while managing complex medical and mental-health needs.
His mother does not have medical power of attorney, so family cannot easily confirm what care he is (or isn’t) receiving.

What we are demanding — protection, treatment, and accountability:

Emergency medical care now: evaluation by an independent burn and infectious-disease specialist for his third-degree burns and known staph infection; appropriate imaging, labs, and documented daily wound care with pain management.
Injury documentation: full charting of all injuries from forced walking on burns, suspension by cuffs, the head-slamming assault, and any other trauma.
Real mental-health care: consistent, non-punitive treatment for his mental-health crisis and its aftermath, including any PTSD, depression, or suicidality, instead of discipline and torture.
Independent investigation: into the conduct of Sgt. Lewis, Lt. Kelly, Lt. Gilly, Head Nurse Deal, Major Hall, Captain Bailey, and the responsible Red Onion staff, with discipline and criminal referral if evidence supports violations.
Preserve all evidence now: body-worn cameras and fixed cameras from D-3 and medical on and after May 17, 2025; use-of-force packets; Serious Incident Reports; restraint and housing logs; medical records; transport records; Red Onion housing, medical, and incident logs.
Transfer to safety: off the Western Region supermaxes to a facility where he can receive adequate medical and mental-health care and is protected from named staff.

Why this matters: Maceo’s story is not “self-harm in a vacuum.” He describes a chain where denial of mental-health care provoked a crisis, his self-immolation was met with torture instead of treatment, and the same neglect followed him across facilities. Acting on this case sends a message that mental-health crises cannot be met with sadism and cover-ups.

📞 Step 1: Call to Protect Maceo Peoples (#1716355)

Call during business hours (Mon–Fri, ~8 a.m.–5 p.m. ET). If you reach voicemail, leave a message. Start with Wallens Ridge (where the self-immolation and torture occurred) and Red Onion (where neglect and assault continue), then Western Region and VADOC Central, then the Governor / AG if you have time.

Key Numbers
🔴 Wallens Ridge State Prison (WRSP): (276) 523-3310
🔴 Red Onion State Prison (ROSP): (276) 796-7510
🔷 Western Regional Office (VADOC): (540) 561-7050
🔶 VADOC Central Office (Richmond): (804) 674-3000

Governor + Attorney General
🟢 Governor’s Office – Constituent Services: (804) 786-2211
🟠 Attorney General – Constituent Services: (804) 786-2071

Your legislators (highly recommended)
Find your state Senator & Delegate: whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov

Hello, my name is [Name] and I’m calling from [City, State] about Maceo Peoples, DOC #1716355. I’m calling about serious allegations at Wallens Ridge State Prison and Red Onion State Prison. At Wallens Ridge, Mr. Peoples reports that after being deliberately deprived of mental-health services, he entered a severe crisis on May 17, 2025 and set his legs on fire, suffering third-degree burns. He reports that instead of treating this as a medical emergency, staff responded with torture. According to his grievances, Sgt. Lewis and Lt. Kelly denied him a wheelchair, forced him to walk on his burned leg while shackled, accused him of “refusing to walk,” and when he collapsed, treated it as resistance. He reports being suspended by his cuffs, drugged, and restrained. He also reports that Head Nurse Deal and other medical staff denied him proper wound care, and he developed a serious staph infection. He reports that Major Hall and Captain Bailey dismissed his burns as “minor injuries” and his description of torture as “proper procedure,” even after reviewing camera footage. His grievances WRSP-25W-04189 and WRSP-25-REG-004077 document this. After a transfer to Red Onion around October 2025, Mr. Peoples reports that his third-degree burns and staph infection still did not receive the daily wound care they require, and that the pain and infection continued. He also reports a new assault at Red Onion, in which an officer slammed his head into the ground while he was still injured, and that he is in segregation with complex medical and mental-health needs. I am requesting that you: 1) Ensure an immediate, independent medical evaluation by a burn and infectious-disease specialist for his third-degree burns and staph infection, with documented daily wound care, pain management, and follow-up. 2) Provide consistent, non-punitive mental-health treatment and accommodations for his crisis and ongoing symptoms. 3) Preserve all evidence: body-worn and fixed cameras from D-3 and medical on and after May 17, 2025; use-of-force packets; Serious Incident Reports; restraint and housing logs; medical records; transport paperwork; and all Red Onion medical and housing records related to his burns and the reported head-slamming assault. 4) Open an independent investigation into Sgt. Lewis, Lt. Kelly, Lt. Gilly, Head Nurse Deal, Major Hall, Captain Bailey, and the Red Onion staff involved in the assault and neglect, and refer for discipline and criminal investigation if evidence supports constitutional violations. 5) Consider an immediate transfer to a facility where he can receive adequate medical and mental-health care, away from the staff he has named. Please provide a written response describing what actions you are taking to protect Maceo Peoples and to investigate these allegations.

✉️ Step 2: One-Click Oversight Email (Names Officers + Alleged Actions)

This email goes to VADOC leadership, Western Region, the facilities, OSIG contacts, and Governor/AG constituent offices. Edit the first lines to describe your relationship (family member, loved one, concerned community member, etc.).

Subject: URGENT: Torture & Medical Neglect – Maceo Peoples #1716355 (Wallens Ridge → Red Onion)

Dear Virginia Department of Corrections leadership and oversight officials,

I am writing about Maceo Peoples (DOC #1716355), currently confined at Red Onion State Prison (ROSP) and formerly housed at Wallens Ridge State Prison (WRSP) in D-3. Mr. Peoples has reported a chain of events that began with a mental-health crisis and self-immolation on May 17, 2025 and has continued through torture, medical neglect, and a new assault after transfer.

These allegations require immediate protection, preservation of evidence, and independent investigation.

WALLENS RIDGE – MENTAL-HEALTH CRISIS, SELF-IMMOLATION, AND TORTURE (MAY 17 & 26, 2025)

According to Mr. Peoples:

• He was intentionally deprived of needed mental-health services and subjected to a punitive climate of “conscious disregard.”
• On May 17, 2025, in D-3 at Wallens Ridge, he experienced a severe mental-health crisis and set his legs on fire, suffering third-degree burns.
• Instead of emergency medical and psychiatric care, he reports staff treated this as an opportunity to punish and “set an example.”

He reports that:

• Sgt. Lewis and Lt. Kelly denied him a wheelchair, forced him to walk on his burned leg while shackled, accused him of “refusing to walk,” and when he collapsed from pain, treated this as resistance.
• He was “suspended by his cuffs,” drugged, and restrained rather than stabilized and treated, which he describes as torture for having survived self-immolation.
• Lt. Gilly failed to protect him before and during the crisis.
• Head Nurse Deal and other medical staff denied him proper wound care for his third-degree burns, allowing them to become infected with staph.

In grievance responses WRSP-25W-04189 and WRSP-25-REG-004077, Major Hall and Captain Bailey reportedly:

• Dismiss his burns as “minor injuries,”
• Describe the force as “proper procedure,”
• And claim that, after reviewing cameras, there was no excessive force, despite his third-degree burns, infection, and account of being forced to walk on burned legs and suspended by cuffs.

RED ONION – CONTINUED MEDICAL NEGLECT AND NEW ASSAULT (~OCT 2025 – JAN 16, 2026)

After transfer to Red Onion around October 2025, Mr. Peoples reports:

• His third-degree burns and resulting staph infection did not receive the daily wound care he was supposed to get, and the pain and infection continued.
• The neglect of his serious medical needs has continued, despite his condition being well known.
• He experienced a new assault at Red Onion when an officer slammed his head into the ground while he was already injured.
• He is being held in segregation/restrictive housing, isolated while managing complex medical and mental-health needs.
• His mother does not have medical power of attorney and has had difficulty confirming what care he is receiving.

REQUESTED ACTIONS

In light of these reports, I am requesting that the Virginia Department of Corrections and relevant oversight bodies:

1) Ensure immediate, independent medical evaluation and treatment:
   • Examination by an outside burn and infectious-disease specialist for his third-degree burns and staph infection;
   • Appropriate labs and imaging;
   • Documented daily wound care with pain management and follow-up.

2) Ensure adequate mental-health care:
   • Regular, non-punitive mental-health treatment for his crisis and its aftermath, including any PTSD, depression, or suicidality;
   • Appropriate accommodations for any mental-health disabilities.

3) Preserve all evidence:
   • Body-worn and fixed camera footage from D-3 and medical at Wallens Ridge on and after May 17, 2025;
   • Any use-of-force reports and Serious Incident Reports related to his self-immolation and subsequent handling;
   • Restraint logs and housing logs (including any ambulatory restraints);
   • Medical and mental-health records related to the burns, infection, and follow-up;
   • Transfer/transport paperwork and logs;
   • Red Onion medical, incident, and housing records related to his burns and the reported head-slamming assault.

4) Open an independent investigation:
   • Into the conduct of Sgt. Lewis, Lt. Kelly, Lt. Gilly, Head Nurse Deal, Major Hall, and Captain Bailey at Wallens Ridge;
   • Into the conduct of the Red Onion staff involved in the continued neglect and the head-slamming assault;
   • With discipline and referral for criminal investigation where evidence supports constitutional or statutory violations.

5) Consider an immediate transfer to safety:
   • Off the Western Region supermaxes to a facility where he can receive adequate medical and mental-health care and is protected from the staff he has named.

Please provide a written response describing what steps you are taking to protect Maceo Peoples, what evidence has been preserved, and what investigative actions have been initiated.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[City, State]
[Relationship, if desired]

✅ Step 3: What Actions Did You Take?

This encrypted form helps UPROAR track how many calls/emails are going in so we can coordinate follow-up. You can submit anonymously.

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Thank you for taking action. Every call and email makes it harder for officials to hide retaliation, mail interference, and use-of-force abuse behind paperwork and locked doors. When we act together, we create the outside pressure that people inside cannot safely create on their own.

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