Wallens Ridge State Prison
Encyclopedia
Wallens Ridge State Prison is a supermax
state prison located in Big Stone Gap, Virginia
, housing approximately 700 inmates. Since opening in April 1999, it has been a part of the Virginia Department of Corrections
, and is identical to the Red Onion State Prison
near Pound
. The prison was built for over $70 million. As of 1999 the prison employs almost 800 people. The current warden of the facility is Randy Mathe
There has been speculation that human rights violations
have occurred at Wallens Ridge. A 20-year old inmate committed suicide, apparently due to conditions in the prison. In addition, another prisoner died after receiving several lacerations with an Ultron II stun gun This raised questions about the proper treatment of prisoners, and potential racism within the prison. The families of both prisoners won lawsuits and received settlements. The practice of shipping inmates from distant parts of the country has been cited as one of the leading causes of problems at Supermax
prisons. The issues associated with these events and questions of prisoner abuse
are the subject of the Appalshop
documentary, Up the Ridge
.
Supermax
Supermax is the name used to describe "control-unit" prisons, or units within prisons, which represent the most secure levels of custody in the prison systems of certain countries...
state prison located in Big Stone Gap, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, housing approximately 700 inmates. Since opening in April 1999, it has been a part of the Virginia Department of Corrections
Virginia Department of Corrections
The Virginia Department of Corrections is the government agency responsible for operating prisons and correctional facilities for the US Commonwealth of Virginia. The agency is fully accredited by the American Correctional Association and is one of the oldest functioning correctional agencies in...
, and is identical to the Red Onion State Prison
Red Onion State Prison
Red Onion State Prison is a supermax state prison located in unincorporated Wise County, Virginia, near Pound, operated by the Virginia Department of Corrections, it houses about 800 inmates. The prison opened in August, 1998 and is an identical facility to the Wallens Ridge State Prison in Big...
near Pound
Pound, Virginia
Pound is a town in Wise County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,089 as recorded in the 2000 census.-Geography:Pound is located at ....
. The prison was built for over $70 million. As of 1999 the prison employs almost 800 people. The current warden of the facility is Randy Mathe
There has been speculation that human rights violations
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
have occurred at Wallens Ridge. A 20-year old inmate committed suicide, apparently due to conditions in the prison. In addition, another prisoner died after receiving several lacerations with an Ultron II stun gun This raised questions about the proper treatment of prisoners, and potential racism within the prison. The families of both prisoners won lawsuits and received settlements. The practice of shipping inmates from distant parts of the country has been cited as one of the leading causes of problems at Supermax
Supermax
Supermax is the name used to describe "control-unit" prisons, or units within prisons, which represent the most secure levels of custody in the prison systems of certain countries...
prisons. The issues associated with these events and questions of prisoner abuse
Prisoner abuse
Prisoner abuse is the mistreatment of persons while they are under arrest or incarcerated.Abuse falling into this category includes:* Physical abuse: Needless beating, hitting, or other corporal punishment....
are the subject of the Appalshop
Appalshop
Appalshop is a media, arts, and education center located in Whitesburg, Kentucky, in the heart of the southern Appalachian region of the United States....
documentary, Up the Ridge
Up the Ridge
Up the Ridge is a 2008 documentary film by Appalshop filmmakers Nick Szuberla and Amelia Kirby revealing injustices in the American Prison System. It especially highlights prisoners sent from urban areas to be incarcerated in rural supermax prisons, such as Red Onion State Prison and Wallens Ridge...
.