Ep. 3 The Supermax Twins: Part 3.1- The Abuses

This episode examines the systemic violence and control mechanisms inside Virginia’s supermax prisons, Red Onion and Wallens Ridge. Originally justified as facilities for the “worst of the worst,” these prisons frequently house individuals with release dates, many struggling with serious mental health challenges.

This episode traces the history of documented abuse, the expansion of interstate transfers to fill beds, and the use of isolation and collective punishment as tools of control. It addresses the legal battles brought by incarcerated people and their families.

At its core, this episode confronts the human cost of prolonged isolation and the systemic failures that allow these conditions to persist.