Virginia Grants Death Row Inmates with New Privileges
Until few months back, the inmates on death row in Virginia were allowed to leave their cells only thrice in a week to take shower, an hour each day for recreation in an enclosed cell and could meet his family members only through a sheet of glass in family visits. However, the things have changed for the seven men who are awaiting their execution who are getting an additional half year for recreation every day. The officials also confirmed that they are constructing a new basketball court where the inmates will be allowed to hang around with up to three death row inmates at a time, reported Seattle Times.
According to Victor Glasberg, attorney representing the condemned inmates, these little things mean a lot when these prisoners get so little. He has been challenging the strict Virginia regulations about keeping the death row inmates incarcerated in a solitary confinement. Virginia had the strictest laws amongst all the states in US, says ABC News. Virginia Attorney General Mark also agreed that the condition of prisoners is now significantly more progressive than other states that follow capital punishment.
All these policies were revamped secretly after several months of being challenged legally. The first such issue was raised by Alfred Prieto, convicted of three murders and was executed on 1st October. Alfred got some privileges after Virginia federal judge acquiesced that they cannot place a convict in solitary confinement just like that. However, this ruling was later overturned by appeals court. While Prieto's appeal was dismissed by Supreme Court, other inmates filed a lawsuit that they are entitled to the same privileges as the Prieto and that they should not be left in isolation, as per Richmond Times. Michael Bern, Prieto's attorney was contacted for comment but he denied to speak on the matter.
