Over the past couple months we’ve bailed out our 2nd person from Roanoke City Jail using our Roanoke Community Bail Fund, launched a “Rehab, Housing, & Jobs Not Jails” campaign to make city council divest our tax money from RCJ, have sent care packages to a couple incarcerated workers, and have also received a couple letters from one of them letting us know some things.
The first letter from 10.3.19:
“Dear fellow viewers, readers, and bloggers alike,
As always I would like to thank you for all your support be it positive or negative. Without you our organization would not be what it is today.
As the end of the year draws near, it is my hope that you will reflect and remember the families who lost a loved one in the throws of the Roanoke City Jail.
We as people take so much for granted in life including life itself. We must remember that we all fall short. Yet that doesn’t mean we have failed. It means we must continue to strive.
No matter where you are in life, no matter how close or far away, please know that you are loved. So I ask you right now today tell someone you love them.
Life is all but too short. Remember your loved ones in jail or prison and reach out, write a letter or call. The struggle amongst inmates and overseers is an occurring and a happening issue.
As long as inmates continue to be victimized at the hands of these prison officials, our war will continue to wage casualties. Yet these casualties should not have to result in the loss of a loved one due to their misprudence.
It is my hope that you the community will continue to support, rally, raise awareness in our community in solidarity. I am but one yet we are many.
Thank you,
The Voice”
The second letter from 11.13.19:
“Happiest of holidays to all our readers, viewers, and bloggers alike. Without your support our efforts of solidarity would be lost. Once again the Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office is under scrutiny.
In a recent string of events involving a female deputy and trustee inmate, it has come to my attention that the two of them were actively engaging in a sexual relationship for almost a year.
Recently promoted female Master Deputy Guzman was asked to resign following an investigation being tipped off by another inmate. At the time, her and trustee John W. were actively involved with one another.
Amongst other things Deputy Guzman trafficked various items of contraband which included marijuana, suboxone strips, and cocaine. As you may or may not be aware, back in April 2019 several female inmates overdosed on the 2nd floor. No one knew how these drugs became so easily available. There were several witnesses. For anonymity one witness whom would like to not be named stated that she saw Deputy Guzman first-hand distribute these substances to various females throughout the unit. She also witnessed three of her fellow inmates overdose.
However, after witnessing these traumatic events, she was reluctant to go to Sheriff officials in fear of backlash. This incident was deliberately covered up by the Sheriff and medical staff. Soon after the body of Jeffrey Wayne Lee was discovered.
His mysterious death is still in question as the jail ruled it another suicide. Now you also may remember the black mold infestation and toilet issue that was taking place on the 3rd floor. This only prompted more of the issues in which RCJ denied to the press.
Then in June 2019, long-time kitchen staff official and head manager Kim was asked to resign. After being targeted in an investigation by Lt. Brandon Young. Sources reveal that she and inmate Jerry Butler were actively involved. Jerry, who went on record to say that “their relationship was intimate and discreet,” further stated that this is happening all over the jail.
Sources would later reveal that she also trafficked contraband into the jail for him as well. These two individuals were engaged in many phone conversations which were mentioned by Sheriff officials.
She alongside Deputy Guzman was responsible for the distribution of a wide variety of drugs and paraphernalia amongst inmates. Then to make matters worse, in August 2019 the inmate population would suffer another loss with the apparent suicide of Aaron Michael Wheaton.
As of now Sheriff Tim Allen is under fire by citizens and inmates alike. There has been a range of lawsuits filed stemming from these anomalies. Those in which vary from wrongful death to cruel & unusual punishment.
Hopefully now you are aware and updated to what has really been going down in RCJ. Question is… Who will stand up for inmates who fall victim at the hands of these officials? Why do we continue to tolerate our own civil servants dealing drugs in our local jail? When does the ball drop? When will they be held responsible for their actions?
These are my questions to you Roanoke. Yet no one seems to have the answers. Who’s next? We need a solution! We need a resolution! Thank you for reading thank you for listening. In all solidarity I say peace be with you,
The Voice”