My heart aches as I write this petition, seeking justice for my beloved son, Jowell Travis Le Gendre. Tragically, he lost his life while under the care of the Virginia Department of Correction (VADOC). This petition aims to shed light on the urgent need to address inmate abuse and murder within our correctional system.

On Thursday, August 24, 2023, according to VADOC's press release, an inmate reported that Jowell fell out of his top bunk bed at approximately 2:37 pm. However, upon arrival at the scene, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) noted that Jowell was unresponsive, did not have a shockable pulse, was not exchanging air and exhibited no signs of life with fixed and dilated pupils. Despite requests by EMTs to remove 5 point restraints during transport, prison officials denied the request hindering potential life saving efforts. Shockingly, as stated in medical record reports, it took 90 minutes for my son Jowell to reach Dickenson Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 3:57 pm. This hospital is only 9.7 miles away from the prison.

What troubles me deeply is that there were no visible signs of bruising nor skeletal damage on my son's entire body that could be attributed to a fall from a 6 foot bunk bed. He only had severe swelling to the left side of his face, head and neck, a laceration just outside his left ear by his temple, a swollen left eye, a bruise to his left cheek and a bloody nose. No other bruising or damage to the left side of his body that would substantiate VADOC’s statement.

I spoke to my son just after 9am that Thursday. He made several complaints of being unexplainably excessively tired throughout the week during our calls. He yawned that final morning and promised to call me back around 2pm that afternoon. I never received his call. This raises serious concerns about the accuracy of VADOC's account and demands an immediate independent investigation into potential foul play and/or negligence leading to my son's suspicious untimely death.

Sadly, my son's case is not an isolated incident. Numerous reports have surfaced highlighting inmate abuse and murder within correctional facilities across our nation. My son's death is the fourth inmate death between July 2023 and August 2023 at a VADOC prison. Two murders occured at Red Onion, one at Nottoway Correctional Center and yet another at Lawrenceville Correctional Center, privately owned by The GEO Group. These incidents are not only morally reprehensible but also violate basic human rights principles.

While we celebrate the recent victory of the budgetary allocation to fund a new Office of the Department of Corrections Ombudsman, we cannot ignore the fact that VADOC has a reputation for abusing and murdering inmates with little to no punitive repercussions lodged against involved staff and officials. In addition, a report by The Leadership Conference Education Fund and the Project on Government Oversight states that "the US Government does not know how many people die in law enforcement custody or while imprisoned each year." (GDP News- NPR)  The article cites data from the U.S. Government Accountability Office report stating "the federal government likely undercounted deaths in custody in 2021 alone by nearly 1000 compared with other public data sources." The failure to report these deaths is a direct violation of the 2014 Death in Custody Reporting Act.  These shocking statistics underscore the urgent need for comprehensive reforms within our correctional system.

We cannot turn a blind eye any longer! It is time for us as concerned citizens to come together and demand justice for all those who have suffered due to inmate abuse and murder. We call upon the relevant authorities, including the Virginia Department of Correction, to take immediate action to:

1. Conduct a thorough and impartial independent investigation into Jowell Travis Le Gendre's death, ensuring transparency and accountability.

2. Implement stricter protocols and monitoring systems within correctional facilities to prevent inmate abuse and violence.

3. Provide comprehensive training programs for correctional staff on de-escalation techniques, conflict resolution, and recognizing signs of abuse or neglect.

4. Implement stricter protocols requiring an automatic independent investigation of inmate abuse and murder.

We believe that every life is valuable, regardless of one's past mistakes or circumstances. It is our duty as a society to ensure that our correctional system upholds human dignity, protects inmates from harm, and promotes rehabilitation rather than perpetuating cycles of violence.

Join me in signing this petition as we demand justice for Jowell Travis Le Gendre and all victims of inmate abuse and murder. Together, let us create a safer future for those who are incarcerated while upholding their fundamental rights.

#Justice4Jowell #EndInmateAbuse #StopInmateMurder