We, the undersigned, are demanding immediate emergency corrective action at Sussex I State Prison regarding dangerous and inhumane living conditions that are placing the health and safety of residents at serious risk.

This petition originally began over the failure of the prison’s intercom system, but the deeper conditions inside the institution reveal a broader life-safety emergency that can no longer be ignored.

BROKEN INTERCOMS CREATE A DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENT

Residents throughout Sussex I report that housing unit intercoms are broken or nonfunctional, leaving adults in custody unable to contact correctional staff during emergencies.

This creates an immediate threat to human life and safety because residents may be unable to:

• Report medical emergencies
• Alert staff during assaults or violence
• Notify officers about fires, flooding, or suicide attempts
• Request emergency medical assistance
• Contact staff when physically unable to leave their cells

A prison facility without functioning emergency communication systems creates unacceptable risks for both residents and staff.

BROWN WATER AND CONTAMINATION CONCERNS

For over a year, residents and families have reported ongoing issues involving brown and contaminated-looking water at Sussex I. Numerous complaints describe water that appears unsafe for drinking, bathing, or daily use.

Residents have also reported serious health concerns and symptoms they believe may be connected to long-term exposure to contaminated water, including gastrointestinal illness, unexplained sickness, and concerns regarding cancers such as pancreatic cancer.

There are also widespread concerns because Sussex I State Prison was reportedly constructed on or near landfill areas, increasing public concern regarding environmental contamination and long-term exposure risks.

These allegations demand immediate independent environmental testing and public transparency.

FLOODING, MOLD, AND STRUCTURAL CONDITIONS

Residents report that when it rains, portions of the institution flood. Water leaks from ceilings and walls, and many residents now keep blankets on the floor while placing legal paperwork, photographs, and personal belongings above ground level to prevent water damage.

Residents describe:

• Standing water inside housing areas
• Leaking ceilings and walls
• Mold and mildew growth
• Persistent moisture and “sweating” walls
• Strong odors throughout the institution
• Unsanitary and deteriorating living conditions

These conditions are not only degrading and unhealthy, but may also violate basic constitutional standards for humane confinement.

WE DEMAND THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS

1. Immediate inspection and repair of all housing unit intercom systems

2. Independent testing of the prison water supply by outside environmental and public health agencies

3. Public disclosure of all findings regarding water quality and environmental safety

4. Immediate remediation of mold, leaks, flooding, and structural water intrusion

5. Emergency review by state oversight officials regarding health and safety conditions at Sussex I State Prison

6. Protection from retaliation for residents who report unsafe conditions

No human being should be forced to live in conditions where they cannot call for help, fear contaminated water, or watch their living quarters flood during rainstorms.

The residents of Sussex I State Prison deserve basic human dignity, safety, and access to emergency communication systems that function properly.

We call upon the Virginia Department of Corrections, state officials, oversight agencies, and elected leaders to act immediately before further harm occurs.