Katrina Jones passed away July 9th 2012 at the young age of 19 while in the custody of the Richmond Sheriff’s Department. Her death is surrounded by a set of tragic circumstances, which raise important questions about the treatment of inmates at the Richmond City Jail and the attitudes of those in charge of it, not the least of which being: How could this have been prevented?
Katrina Jones passed away July 9th 2012 at the young age of 19 while in the custody of the Richmond Sheriff’s Department. Her death is surrounded by a set of tragic circumstances, which raise important questions about the treatment of inmates at the Richmond City Jail and the attitudes of those in charge of it, not the least of which being: How could this have been prevented?
The answers are not easy to get. And city authorities are not exactly forthcoming. The Sheriff is quick to shift responsibility in this case to Correct Care Solutions LLC, the Tennessee-based company contracted by the city to provide health services at the jail. For those looking in, one has to wonder why Katrina’s case appears to be part of a much larger picture. On Sunday July 29th the Richmond Times Dispatch front page headline zoomed in on this issue, showing that the death rate at the city jail is about 2.5 times higher than the national average. We must ask ourselves if we are willing to let Richmond be known for this, or if we prefer to do something about it instead.
On Saturday, September 1st 2012, the Greatest Unknown Richmond Hip Hop Collective proposes that we not allow Katrina’s life to be forgotten, and that we share the story of her death in the hope of finding a better way for the future. As her family struggles to get answers from unwilling city officials, the least we might do is enjoy a night of music in recognition of this struggle. It might be a small step towards affecting change, but it should be a very real step in supporting a family in mourning. All the door money from this show will be donated to the memorial fund which the family has set up in their daughter’s name.
WHAT: The Greatest Unknown Richmond Hip Hop Collective Presents… A Show to Benefit the Katrina Jones Memorial Fund
WHO: PT Burnem, Noah-O, The Honorable Sleaze, Just Plain Ant, Swordplay, Goad Gatsby, Ice-James, Due Justice, DJ Mr. Mason Jones
WHERE: Strange Matter, 929 W. Grace St.
WHEN: Saturday September 1, 10:00 PM
ADMISSION: $5
