Protect Rashid Johnson – End Retaliation and Solitary Torture

What SCDC still expects Rashid to pay for “outside care”:
Exam & x‑rays – $157 • Root canal – $1 100 • Build‑up & crown – $2 056 • Transport (guard escort) ≈ $200–400 per trip • Total ≈ $3 000 + transport he cannot afford.

Please take action immediately: call the prison medical departments in South Carolina and Virginia to demand urgent dental care for Kevin “Rashid” Johnson (#397279). Use the call script at the bottom of this page.

Who is Kevin “Rashid” Johnson?
Rashid (VADOC #1007485, now SCDC #397279) is a nationally recognized prison journalist and organizer. In Fall 2024, he exposed a fellow prisoner’s self-immolation at Red Onion State Prison. Since then, he’s reported on abuse and organized against solitary confinement. In retaliation, Virginia coerced him on December 4, 2024, into a settlement under duress and then on May 1, 2025 transferred him to South Carolina via the Interstate Corrections Compact—exiling him from his family, legal team, and supporters.

Timeline of Escalating Retaliation

• Oct 2024 – Initial Exposure: Rashid publicly reports that multiple prisoners at Red Onion set themselves on fire in protest of abuse and long-term solitary. In response, prison officials place him in solitary and cut off his phone access. This marks the beginning of targeted retaliation.
• Dec 2024 – Internal Cover-Up: After complaints flood the state’s new ombudsman, Red Onion Warden David Anderson forms an internal “task force” to review 13 allegations. Within 24 hours, Captain Christopher Gilbert declares “no staff misconduct.” FOIA-released emails show Anderson told DOC leadership: “We will take care of it.” This report is used to block outside investigation.
• Dec 4, 2024 – Coerced Lawsuit Settlement & Transfer Threat: Rashid is pressured to settle a federal lawsuit under duress. VADOC tells him he will be held indefinitely in solitary unless he consents to an out-of-state transfer under the Interstate Corrections Compact. He initially refuses, then is forcibly moved anyway.
• Feb 23, 2025 – Second Exposure: Rashid releases a follow-up report confirming continued self-immolations at Red Onion. His article is recorded and aired on Prison Radio and Prison Riot Radio, triggering immediate retaliation from Keen Mountain staff.
• Feb 25 – March 13 – Phone and Mail Retaliation: Rashid is hit with fabricated infractions for “unauthorized calls,” has his phone PIN deactivated, and loses access to both legal mail and grievance procedures. Staff falsely claim he refused to attend a disciplinary hearing. A federal court letter is withheld for three weeks, making his deadline impossible to meet.
• April 30 – Witness Removal: Red Onion self-immolation survivors Ekong Eshiet and Demetrius Wallace are suddenly transferred out of state. Rashid notes this tactic—used many times before—aims to silence key witnesses ahead of ombudsman review.
• May 1 – Retaliatory Transfer & Transport Injury: Rashid is transferred to South Carolina in a steel-lined van, shackled in a near-hog-tied position. During high-speed travel, he suffers a leg injury but receives no MRI or orthopedic follow-up. This marks the start of extreme physical and medical abuse.
• May 1–13 – Mattress-less Solitary & Hunger Strike: Held in freezing RHU cells at Kirkland and Perry prisons with no mattress, surrounded by insects and rats. Begins a hunger strike to protest denial of medical care, legal access, and personal property.
• May 13 – Legal Blockade: Transferred to general population, but ≈30 boxes of legal materials from Virginia are not delivered. Rashid is restricted to one monitored call per day and has no access to tablet or email.
• May 19 – PREA Violation: A female officer watches Rashid use the toilet in a darkened cell for 30–45 seconds. Rashid files a PREA grievance and notes that the incident was likely captured on surveillance video.
• May 20 – Solitary Again + Direct Threat from IG Agent: Rashid is returned to RHU. SCDC Inspector General agent Fergeli drives over an hour to threaten him in person: “Tell your people to stop calling or I’ll charge you, keep you in the hole, and you’ll get hurt.” Rashid’s access to communication is immediately revoked.
• May 21 – Legal-Only Contact: Rashid receives one inbound attorney call. He is now limited to two personal letters per month and barred from all other communication.
• May 22 – Isolation Tier (“Blackout”): Transferred to a 6-cell unit with no phone, tablet, books, property, or mattress. His door is marked with a sign instructing staff not to restore communication access. He receives no outdoor time or visitation and remains on hunger strike with a worsening respiratory infection.
• May 23 – Cover-Up Exposed by FOIA: VPM News publishes internal VADOC records confirming that Red Onion officials prematurely closed their own investigation into misconduct with a fabricated “no wrongdoing” finding—just days after complaints were received.
• June 4 – Hunger Strike Continues, Warden Admits Retaliation: In a legal call, Rashid confirms he is still on hunger strike and held in total isolation—allowed only one legal call per week. The warden personally admits that this communication blackout is retaliation for Rashid’s published articles about South Carolina prison conditions, including rodent infestations and the leg injury sustained during his May 1 transfer. Rashid has never been given written notice of any disciplinary infraction. His tablet containing drafts of his autobiography was confiscated, and when physical copies of those drafts were sent via legal mail to support a pending lawsuit, they were also seized—along with legal mail containing books on U.S. racism meant to be cited in court. Rashid calls on supporters to file complaints with SCDC’s General Counsel and Ombudsperson and urges organizing in South Carolina, warning: “They drop the gauntlet on you, try to shut you up, shut you down, and retaliate.”
• June 11 – Hunger Strike Ends: Rashid ends his hunger strike after more than five weeks. He reports losing 47 pounds during the protest (257 lbs to 210 lbs) and receiving no written acknowledgment of his medical condition or protest. He is still held in extreme solitary with no books, no access to outdoors or fresh air, and no hygiene items.
• June 12 – Legal Access Blocked, Mail Intercepted: In a legal call, Rashid confirms that the prison is intercepting some of his outbound legal mail—preventing filings from reaching the court. His legal property from Virginia (≈30 boxes) remains missing. The cell has no window or reading material, and he is only permitted to shower three times per week despite infestations of cockroaches. His leg injury is healing, and a lung infection was treated with antibiotics.
• June 30 – Retaliation Continues, Legal Mail Still Confiscated: Rashid reports that conditions remain unchanged. Legal mail from his attorneys—including mail clearly marked as Legal Mail—continues to be confiscated. He confirms again that he ended his hunger strike on June 11 but remains in 24/7 solitary, cut off from all communication except one legal call per week.
• July 3 – Delayed Antibiotics: After repeated sick-call slips, Rashid is finally given an oral antibiotic for a suspected dental abscess.
• July 9 – X-Ray Confirms Abscess & Broken Tooth: Prison dentist verifies the infection. Two guards file false “Refused Treatment” forms; Rashid never declined care.
• July 18 – Solitary Retaliation & Communication Blackout: Warden Curtis Earley refuses to honor the settlement’s single‑cell provision and sends Rashid back to RHU. All calls, mail, and legal property are confiscated.

Why This Is Illegal

• First Amendment – Retaliation for protected speech and journalism
• Sixth Amendment & Bounds v. Smith – Destruction of legal materials, denial of court access
• Eighth Amendment & UN Mandela Rules – Prolonged solitary, no bedding or out-of-cell time is torture
• Estelle v. Gamble – Deliberate indifference to serious medical need
• Falsifying refusal-of-care documents – Violates 42 U.S.C. § 1320d-6 (HIPAA fraud and false medical records)
• PREA (28 C.F.R. §115.15) – Cross-gender observation during toilet use; footage must be preserved
• ICC Article IV(e) – Under Virginia Code § 53.1-216 and SC Code § 24-11-20, a transferred prisoner retains all rights from the sending state:
  • Media access (6VAC15-45-1730)
  • Four hours daily out-of-cell time for RHU prisoners (VA Code § 53.1-39.2)

How You Can Help Today

📞 Step 1: Make Calls to Demand Urgent Medical Care

🔶 Medical Departments (Primary Targets):
SCDC Medical Services Division: (803) 896-8547 • Email: MedicalConcerns@doc.sc.gov
VADOC Health Services: (804) 887-8118 • Email: healthservicesinquiries@vadoc.virginia.gov

🔷 General & Administrative Officials (Escalation Contacts):
VA DOC Director – Chadwick Dotson: Cell (804) 688-5459
VADOC Chief Deputy Director David Robinson: (757)334-9872
VA Secretary of Public Safety – Terrance Cole: (804)786-5351
SCDC Director – Bryan Stirling: (803) 896-8555
SCDC Inspector General (main): (803) 896-1811
Perry Correctional Institution – Warden’s office: (864) 243-4700 ×200
Associate Warden Joseph Werts: 809-363-9322 or 864-243-4708
Associate Warden Susan Duffy: 864-243-4708 or 864-209-7647

Live Script (≈ 60 sec)

Hello, my name is ___ and I’m calling about Kevin “Rashid” Johnson – VADOC #1007485 / SCDC #397279.

• Since July 18 he has been thrown back into solitary and cut off from messages, mail, and calls. Antibiotics have been stopped; the abscessed molar is still untreated and swelling is worsening.
• Guards Hawkins and Williams filed false “Refused Treatment” forms—Rashid has never refused care and has requested treatment for weeks.
• Dental abscesses can spread, cause sepsis, and become fatal—this is an emergency.

Under the Interstate Corrections Compact (Article IV-e) and Virginia Code § 53.1-39.2, he retains Virginia medical rights while in South Carolina custody.

I am requesting:
1. Immediate on-site endodontic treatment (root canal or extraction) or emergency hospital transfer.
2. Written retraction of the false “Refused Treatment” forms and correction of his medical record.
3. A guarantee that no charges, co-pays, transport fees, or outside-care costs will be billed to Mr. Johnson.
4. Written confirmation of these actions within 48 hours.
5. Reinstate all communication privileges and return legal materials immediately.
6. Honor the settlement clause requiring a single‑cell in general population instead of RHU solitary.

Please provide a reference number for this call. Thank you.

---

Voicemail Version (≤ 20 sec)

“I’m calling about Kevin ‘Rashid’ Johnson — VA #1007485 / SC #397279. He exposed self‑immolations in Virginia, was transferred under a settlement that guarantees a single‑cell in general population, yet on July 18 Warden Curtis Earley forced him back into RHU solitary, seized all mail, calls, and legal papers, and halted his antibiotics. An abscessed molar remains untreated; his face, eye, and ear are swelling. This is life‑threatening. Restore his communication, honor the single‑cell agreement, and provide immediate, no‑cost dental treatment. Please call me back at [ your number ]. Thank you.”

📋 After you call: record the time, who you spoke with, and any reference # in the action-report form at the bottom of this page. Every data-point helps us escalate.

Step 2: ✉️ One‑Click Email — Stop Retaliation & ICC Violations

This message will go to 14 top contacts, including medical services:

• Alexander Gerdes – VA ICC Administrator
• Chadwick Dotson – VADOC Director
• VA Attorney General Jason Miyares
• Bryan Stirling – SCDC Director
• Salley Elliott – SCDC Legal & Compliance
• Daniel Mullins – SCDC Medical Services Administrator
• Joel Anderson – Interim Director of SC DOC
• Curtis Earley – Warden of Perry Correctional Institution
• SCDC Ombudsman Office
• Christopher Harris – SC ICC Administrator
• DOJ Civil Rights Division – Special Litigation Section
• SCDC Medical Services Division
• VADOC Health Services
• SC Special Investigator Jamie Fergeli

Dear Directors, ICC Administrators, Medical Services Administrators, Ombudsman, and DOJ Civil Rights Staff, Kevin “Rashid” Johnson (VADOC #1007485 / SCDC #397279) is a nationally recognized prison journalist whose Fall 2024 exposé documented self‑immolations and systemic abuse at Red Onion State Prison. In retaliation he was held in solitary, cut off from communications, and coerced into a settlement in December. On May 1 2025 he was transferred under the Interstate Corrections Compact to South Carolina, tightly shackled (“hog‑tied”) for the trip and left with a leg injury that received only a single X‑ray. Dental crisis: * On July 3 2025 he finally received a short course of antibiotics after multiple sick‑call slips. * On July 9 the Perry Correctional dentist’s X‑ray confirmed one abscessed molar and a separate broken tooth. * The broken tooth has since been **extracted**, and Mr. Johnson’s face and lymph nodes are now swollen. * The **abscessed tooth remains untreated** because Officers Hawkins and Williams filed false “Refusal of Care” forms. * A local dentist is willing to perform the root canal for **≈ $3 000 (transport extra)**, but the prison is withholding the outside‑care approval form. Forcing an indigent prisoner to self‑pay for medically necessary care—while falsifying his record to claim refusal—constitutes deliberate indifference (*Estelle v. Gamble*) and a HIPAA record violation (42 U.S.C. § 1320d‑6). These actions also violate ICC Article IV‑e and VA Code § 53.1‑39.2 (medical and communication rights), the First Amendment (journalism), the Sixth Amendment (legal access), and PREA standards. We respectfully demand: 1. **Immediate restorative or endodontic treatment** for the abscess—either on‑site or at the outside dentist—at SCDC expense, with no fees or transport costs billed to Mr. Johnson. 2. Written retraction of the false “Refusal of Care” forms and correction of his medical record. 3. Restoration of all communication privileges—phone, mail, tablet, and attorney access. 4. Return of all confiscated legal and personal property. 5. A full Ombudsman investigation, with written findings, within five business days. 6. Reinstate all communication privileges and return legal materials immediately. 7. Honor the settlement clause requiring a single‑cell in general population instead of RHU solitary. Thank you for your prompt attention to this life‑threatening matter. Sincerely, [Your Name] [City, State] 📤 Send Email Now

Step 3: Submit to VA Corrections Ombudsman

Use the button below to copy the message, then paste it into the Ombudsman complaint form. This complaint addresses retaliation against Red Onion whistleblowers and Rashid’s ongoing ICC-based medical neglect, censorship, and extreme isolation:

Copy Ombudsman Message Kevin “Rashid” Johnson (VADOC #1007485, SCDC #397279) is a prison journalist targeted for exposing abuse, including a self-immolation and systemic racism at Red Onion State Prison. In December 2024 he was coerced into a legal settlement and transferred under duress out of Virginia via the Interstate Corrections Compact (ICC). On May 1, 2025, Mr. Johnson was hog-tied in a steel-lined van during ICC transfer to South Carolina. He sustained leg injuries and received only an X-ray—no MRI or orthopedic follow-up. On arrival he was placed in mattress-less solitary for two weeks with no personal property, no outdoor time, and no access to legal materials. On June 4, the warden admitted this blackout was direct retaliation for Mr. Johnson’s published writings. After many written requests, he finally received a short course of antibiotics on July 3, 2025. On July 9 an X-ray confirmed one abscessed tooth and a separate broken tooth. The broken tooth was extracted but the abscess remains. Guards Hawkins and Williams created fraudulent “Refused Treatment” forms dated 7/9/25 to disguise this delay; Mr. Johnson never refused care. He is now expected to pay ≈ $3,000 for “outside care,” excluding transport. Legal papers (≈30 boxes) and autobiography drafts remain confiscated, and his outgoing legal mail is being blocked. These acts violate: – **ICC Article IV(e)** – Retains all Virginia rights (medical care, communication, legal access) – **Virginia Code § 53.1-39.2** – Medical-care obligation extends across ICC – **First Amendment** – Retaliation for protected speech and journalism – **Sixth Amendment / *Bounds v. Smith*** – Destruction of legal access – **Eighth Amendment & *Estelle v. Gamble*** – Medical neglect and solitary confinement as torture I am demanding that: 1. Mr. Johnson be returned to Virginia under ICC Article IV(c) due to sustained rights violations 2. The communication blackout be lifted immediately—phone, mail, tablet, and attorney access 3. **Immediate restorative or endodontic care *inside* Perry CI or at the closest hospital, with no fees assessed** 4. All legal and personal property be returned 5. A full Ombudsman investigation with written findings within five business days 6. Reinstate all communication privileges and return legal materials immediately. 7. Honor the settlement clause requiring a single‑cell in general population instead of RHU solitary. These conditions are illegal, retaliatory, and dangerous. Mr. Johnson’s life and rights are in active jeopardy.

Then click below to open the Ombudsman form and paste this message:

Open Ombudsman Complaint Form

Step 4: Report Medical Neglect to the Healthcare Compliance Unit

Use the button below to copy the message, then paste it into the HCU complaint form. This version cites legal duties under state and federal law, as well as the Interstate Corrections Compact:

Copy Healthcare Message Kevin “Rashid” Johnson (VADOC #1007485, SCDC #397279) is being subjected to ongoing medical neglect at Perry Correctional Institution in South Carolina while under Virginia’s legal custody via the Interstate Corrections Compact (ICC). On May 1, 2025, during ICC transfer, Mr. Johnson was hog-tied in a steel-lined van and sustained leg injuries. To date, he has received only an X-ray—no MRI, orthopedic follow-up, or rehabilitative care. After several sick-call slips he was finally given a brief course of antibiotics on July 3, 2025. On July 9, the prison dentist’s X-ray confirmed an abscessed tooth and a separate broken tooth. Guards Hawkins and Williams filed fraudulent “Refused Treatment” forms dated 7/9/25; Mr. Johnson never refused care. The broken tooth was eventually extracted but the abscess remains. He now faces a paywall of ≈ $3,000 (excluding transport). for outside treatment and transport, which SCDC refuses to cover. This situation constitutes a violation of: – **ICC Article IV(e)** – Transferred individuals retain all rights and privileges of their sending state, including access to adequate medical care – **Virginia Code § 53.1-39.2** – VADOC must ensure continued care for prisoners held in out-of-state institutions – **Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97 (1976)** – Deliberate indifference to serious medical needs violates the Eighth Amendment – **NCCHC & ACA standards** – Require timely evaluation and treatment of dental infections in correctional settings I am demanding the following immediate actions: – **Immediate restorative or endodontic care *inside* Perry CI or at the closest hospital, with no fees assessed** – Written explanation for the failure to respond to multiple dental requests – Investigation into VADOC’s oversight failures and the pattern of medical neglect under its ICC obligations – Reinstate all communication privileges and return legal materials immediately. – Honor the settlement clause requiring a single‑cell in general population instead of RHU solitary. This report is being filed with the Healthcare Compliance Unit pursuant to its authority to investigate medical-care failures within the Virginia Department of Corrections and contracted facilities.

Then click below to open the Healthcare Compliance Unit form and paste this message:

Open Healthcare Compliance Complaint Form

Step 5: Send Emails via ActionNetwork

Use our updated ActionNetwork tool to send urgent emails to key officials and oversight agencies in Virginia and South Carolina:

Send Mass Email Now

Step 6: Let Us Know You Took Action

Reporting your calls and emails helps us track our impact and escalate pressure. This form is encrypted and anonymous:

---

🔗 More Ongoing Campaigns

• 🛡️ Protect Ekong Eshiet
• 📄 Justice for Blocko (Troy Claiborne)
• 🛑 Pack the Courts For Austin Arocho
• 🔥 Demand Accountability for Justin Harrell
• 💻 Red Onion Kiosk Outage (C-1)

---

Thank you for taking action and standing with us. By coming together as a united network of loved ones, you become the source of power that officials fear most. Keep sharing information, organizing your communities, and demanding accountability—your collective voice can expose abuses and force change. Together, we will build UPROAR into a strong, relentless pressure group that protects those behind bars and ensures their well-being.

Campaign Toolkits, News & Updates

Kevin "Rashid" Johnson, Red Onion and Wallens Ridge Exposure Campaign, Red Onion State Prison