A Dozen Black Inmates Reportedly Self-Immolated at Virginia Supermax Prison to Escape 'Intolerable Racism, Abuse, and Inhumane Conditions'

Twelve inmates have reportedly self-immolated because of the abusive environment at Red Onion State Prison in Virginia. (Credit: Change.org)

Twelve Black inmates at Red Onion State Prison, Virginia's first super-maximum security prison, have reportedly set themselves on fire since September in a bid to get transferred away from abusive guards, according to current inmates.

The first reported incident concerned Demetrius Wallace, 27, who told The Virginia Defender he set his leg on fire on Aug. 23 because he knew he would have to be transported out of the prison for treatment. Since guards waited three days before taking Wallace to the nearest burn unit seven hours away, he had to have a skin graft and spent 14 days in the hospital.