Urgent Action Alert
Shaka has been transferred back to River North Correctional Facility yet again. He was transferred from Sussex State Prison prematurely, before he had a chance to recover from his knee surgery and before his scheduled appointments with cardiologists and other doctors.
Shaka is still without any of his property, including his legal papers. His legal papers include documents pertaining to his ongoing civil and criminal case against several guards at River North for their racist attack against him in 2021, including C.O. Brinegar.
Recently, the National Lawyers Guild sent a letter urging the Virginia DOC to investigate, correct, and address various violations of Shaka’s constitutional rights in what is only the latest episode of a years-long targeted campaign of harassment and persecution.
Shaka’s forced exile to Virginia in December 2018 was in retaliation for his activism and ongoing advocacy for basic human rights. While in exile, he has taken advantage of every single educational and vocational opportunity. You can see a list of his certificates and degrees here. When Shaka returns, he must be appropriately placed in a minimum-security prison. We must demand this because the Interstate Corrections Compact has no criteria for returning him home.
While Shaka awaits transfer back to Indiana, he must not be housed at RIver North, Red Onion, or Wallens Ridge due to the endangerment of his health and well-being.
Take Action Now!
Call and email the following people and offices until these reasonable demands are met. Sample phone and email scripts below.
IDOC Commissioner Lloyd Arnold
Call: (812) 267-9357
Email: larnold@idoc.in.gov
IDOC Ombudsman Bureau
Email: ombud@idoa.in.gov
IDOC Headquarters
Call: (317) 233-6984 (press 0, 2)
IDOC Deputy Compact Administrator Joel A. Gruber
Call: (317) 232-5972
Email: jgruber@idoc.IN.gov
VADOC Director Chadwick Dotson
Call: (804) 674-3000
Email: chadwick.dotson@vadoc.virginia.gov
VADOC Interstate Corrections Compact Liaison Alexander Gerdes
Call: (804) 887-8404
Email: alexander.gerdes@vadoc.virginia.gov
Sample Script
Hello, my name is ________ and I’m writing/calling to demand that Shaka A. Shakur be returned to his home state of Indiana immediately. Shaka has been unjustly held in Virginia since December 2018. While there, he has taken advantage of every opportunity to prepare himself and his fellow inmates for successful reentry.
Further, Shaka has already served the full time of his 2002 conviction for attempted murder and would be out today if not for a “habitual offender” enhancement that could no longer be applied today given changes in the law since Shaka’s original conviction. Shaka has no criminal record of seriously harming anyone at any point when he was in our community. Even from behind prison walls Shaka has made tremendous contributions to the people of Virginia, Indiana, and worldwide.
Beyond Shaka’s return, I urge the Interstate Corrections Compact to develop criteria for the return of inmates who are shipped out of state.
Thank you for your time.