Wise, Virginia — A coordinated attack involving six inmates at Wallens Ridge State Prison left three corrections officers hospitalized on Friday morning. The Virginia Department of Corrections reported that the incident occurred around 9:45 a.m. and involved inmates linked to the violent MS-13 gang and another gang member.
Five of the attackers, who are confirmed members of MS-13, are undocumented immigrants from El Salvador with serious criminal histories, including convictions for murder and rape. The sixth participant is a U.S. citizen affiliated with the Sureño 13 gang, serving time for second-degree murder.
Virginia Department of Corrections Director Chad Dotson condemned the assault as senseless, emphasizing that these individuals should not have been in the U.S. “Every single day, our officers put their lives on the line to ensure public safety for the more than 8.8 million people across the Commonwealth,” Dotson said. He praised the staff at Wallens Ridge for their quick response in an environment fraught with danger.
The three officers injured during the confrontation received medical attention, with three already discharged. However, two remain hospitalized but are reported to be in stable condition.
Details surrounding the incident are limited, as investigations continue, though law enforcement officials have expressed concern over rising violence and gang activity within correctional facilities. MS-13, known for its extreme brutality and illegal operations, expanded from Los Angeles to become a transnational criminal organization implicated in a range of violent crimes, including murder and human trafficking.
The incident raises larger questions about the safety of prison staff and the impact of gang affiliations within the correctional system. Federal and state officials have increasingly focused on the threat posed by gangs like MS-13, particularly immigrants who have entered the country unlawfully. The Virginia Department of Corrections has stated that it will provide further information as the investigation progresses.
In light of this attack, many are calling for enhanced measures to protect correctional staff and address the challenges posed by gang activity in prisons. With ongoing concerns about public safety, the urgency for reform and appropriate intervention in the correctional system is becoming increasingly critical.