CHARLESTON, WV – Advocates from the West Virginia Poor People’s Campaign and Repairers of the Breach President Bishop William J. Barber II gathered at the capitol to push for better protections for inmates following the death of a West Virginia inmate in December at Southern Regional Jail. According to activists, over the last decade, more than 100 inmates have died while incarcerated in West Virginia.
Families of the deceased inmates, including Latasha Williams, whose fiancé Quantez Burks was killed on March 1, 2022, shared emotional stories of loss and called for accountability for those responsible for the deaths behind bars. Six former correctional officers from Southern Regional Jail were indicted by a federal grand jury following Burks’ death. Despite this, families expressed frustration that they have not heard from the state’s leadership.
The event also highlighted the case of Alvis Shrewsbury, who was beaten to death after 19 days at Southern Regional Jail in 2022. Justine Shrewsbury, Alvis’ widow, called for justice and accountability, emphasizing the toll these incidents have taken on the families.
Ed Toothman, who was incarcerated in 2018, also spoke out about the abuse and neglect he witnessed during his time at North Central Regional Jail, including a fellow inmate who died due to lack of healthcare. He emphasized the need for change in the prison system and for correctional officers to fulfill their duty of maintaining a safe environment for inmates.
Families and advocates urged West Virginia Senators, Delegates, and Gov. Jim Justice to address these issues during the 2024 Legislative Session. The West Virginia Poor People’s Campaign will continue their advocacy efforts with an upcoming assembly on March 2, focusing on poverty and the challenges faced by underprivileged individuals, including those who are incarcerated.
Overall, the advocates’ goal is to push for significant changes to the prison system and to ensure that the voices of the affected families are heard and their concerns are addressed.