A Brief Story of Our Past	 

	FedUp! was founded in January of 2005 in response to reports of abusive conditions 

at Red Onion State Prison (ROSP).  For two years FedUp! focused on countering physical abuse 

at Red Onion, along with two other high level security institutions located in the isolated, 

western district of Virginia - Wallens Ridge State Prison (WRSP) and Keen Mountain Correctional 

Center (KMCC). 

	With a small group of people in Pittsburgh and a large number of people incarcerated 

in western Virginia, FedUp! documented abuse, advocated for individual people, 

distributed abuse logs, circulated a newsletter, and collaborated with community organizations

in Virginia to raise awareness and protest conditions. People incarcerated reported that

because of our activity conditions were improved and "abusive guards mellowed out."

	We realized that as long as prisons are designed and run as they are currently, there will

always be abusive conditions and therefore - as long as there are prisons there must

be concerned members of the community monitoring the behavior of the guards, 

staff and administrators and speaking up!

	In January 2007, FedUp! became a chapter of the Human Rights Coalition (HRC)

and expanded its scope to include Pennsylvania.  Due to the increase of activity and interest in 

Pennsylvania and the many struggles we have working across state lines,  as of January 2009, 

HRC-FedUP! is no longer capable of advocating for people in Virginia. We would love to help a 

Virginia Chapter form. Please contact us if you are interested. 

Counter Abuse Campaign and Conferences

 HRC-FedUp! attended the May 2008 StopMax Conference  in Philadelphia and organized 20 people 

from Pittsburgh to attend. As a part of the conference HRC-Fedup! co-organized a 

national panel of organizations that work against abuse in prisons to share ideas and strategize.

 September of 2008  Critical Resistance 10 Year Anniversary Conference

April 22, 2009 HRC-FedUp! co-organized a state wide lobby day in Harrisburg to address allegations of 

abuse within PA.

Projects  working to Expose Injustice

"2.3 Million and Rising" a short radio segment dealing with prison issues that airs on Pittsburgh's local news program, 

RustBelt Radio.  Catch it Mondays at 6pm and Tuesdays at 9am.

The Reel Cost of Prisons is an ongoing film series intended to raise awareness on many different issues and 

build relationships with local community organizations. 

Write On! - Letters for Prisoners Rights - FedUp!'s weekly service project to respond to letters and advocate for prisoners.

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