Red Onion State Prison, located on an isolated mountaintop in Wise County, Virginia, has become synonymous with the term “supermax”. It is a place of extreme isolation for inmates who are kept alone in their 8’x10′ cells for up to 23 hours a day for any period of time that the authorities deem fit, sometimes spanning decades. This type of confinement can have severe psychological effects on the inmates over long periods of time.
The documentary ‘Solitary Nation’ gives viewers an unprecedented peek inside Red Onion State Prison and a look at the daily lives of some its inmates who are living in perpetual solitary confinement. The film captures interviews from former prison guards and inmates alike, as well as exposes some of the disturbing realities inside this notorious facility.
It’s easy to forget about those serving life sentences in places like Red Onion State Prison but it’s important to remember that they too are human beings and deserve basic rights. Viewers should watch this documentary to gain insight into what life is like for prisoners who live under such extreme conditions – conditions which can often lead to depression and mental illness.
Furthermore, ‘Solitary Nation’ will help viewers understand how even those convicted of serious crimes still deserve humane treatment and respect no matter their circumstances. While there is certainly a need for prisons, they should not be places where dignity is stripped away and individuals are subjected to cruel punishment methods such as solitary confinement.
For all these reasons, we urge you to watch ‘Solitary Nation’, a powerful film that will open your eyes to the realities of prison life and leave you with much food for thought regarding our justice system as a whole.
