University of Virginia Library

Committee Accuses Officials
Of Inciting Prison Riots

By BUCK COLE
and BARBARA HAND

Inmates in the State
penitentiary, Richmond, are
being incited to riot by prison
officials, according to the
Prisoners Solidarity Committee
(PSC).

Beth Marschak, 21-year-old
spokesman for PSC, contends
that the prison officials want a
riot in order to prove that the
prisoners are not controllable
under a new court ruling.

PSC is primarily composed
of friends and relatives of
inmates.

Speaking before the State
Board of Welfare and
Institutions, Miss Marschak
claimed that "the guards are
trying to intensify racial
differences and failing to stop
fights between inmates."

A three-page statement
alleges many direct
provocations. Miss Marschak
has kept the sources of these
complaints anonymous in
order to "protect the inmates
from reprisals by prison
officials."

She will disclose the names
of these inmates if newsmen
can be permitted to interview
the inmates. Yet, only the
governor can give permits for
interviews with inmates.

The PSC states in a letter to
U.S. District Court Judge
Robert R. Merhige Jr. that the
authorities are "deliberately
trying to provoke a riot...to
defend themselves against
contempt charges."

The provocations have been
in the form of verbal abuse and
extended cell-block
confinement rather than
physical beatings.

The contempt of court
charge filed by the American
Civil Liberties Union claims
that prison officials are failing
to carry out the strict
guidelines set by Judge Merhige
concerning the handling of
inmates.

The order allows inmates to
appeal penalties and to ask for
full hearing on charges of
breaking prison regulations.

"The ruling also outlaws
punishments like bread and
water diets, long-term solitary
confinements, the chaining of
prisoners and physical
beatings," according to Miss
Marschak.

"The PSC is hoping through
public support to keep prison
officials from abusing the
inmates," Miss Marschak said.

The state board toured the
prison on Tuesday and heard
first-hand reports from
prisoners in "C" cell-block and
solitary confinement.

According to an Associated
Press story, Board Chairman
Victor J. Ashe of Norfolk
heard that guards would not
physically harm prisoners but
would verbally abuse them
hoping to incite them into rule
infractions.

Ashe stated that the
complaints would be
investigated, and corrective
measures will be taken if
necessary.