James T. Vaughn Correctional Center, Smyrna, Delaware
August 29, 2018 – September 5, 2018
At least 12 prisoners begin refusing meals in protest of conditions. One prisoner, A’Keem Cropper, speaks with local media and explains the motivation for the hunger strike. According to prison authorities, one week later the last of the hunger strikers begins to eat.
According to Delaware News Journal,
“Some inmates had refused to eat since Wednesday as they protest a lack of rehabilitation and education programs, treatment by correctional officers and electronics being taken away from them…
[Prisoner A’Keem] Cropper told The News Journal that prisoners at the Smyrna-area facility were upset by how different levels of inmates are being mixed inside the facility.
This includes having severely mentally ill inmates in recreation yards with ‘non-mentally ill inmates,’ he said. He also said violent offenders are being housed with nonviolent offenders.
‘This in itself can cause friction among the inmate population, as well as inmate versus personnel,’ he said.”
The hunger strike comes in the midst of a national prison strike and more than a year and a half after a major uprising at the correctional center.
Citations:
“Week-long prison hunger strike ends as other Delaware inmates begin refusing food,” The News Journal, September 5, 2018.
“3 Delaware inmates protesting conditions inside Vaughn prison are refusing to eat,” The News Journal, August 31, 2018.
Background:
“Uprising at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center,” Perilous, February 1, 2017.
“#August21 Nationwide Prisoner Strike,” Perilous, August 21, 2018.
