Red Onion Randy - Life in a Supermax Prison

The Department of Corrections finally grants approval for Randy to travel to Richmond for a biopsy at Virginia Commonwealth University. It's not just the road trip that offers him a glimpse of freedom . . .Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Wallens Ridge State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Field...

Randy’s been trying for years to get a biopsy to find out what kind of tumors he has in his leg. Finally, he finds a supportive prison doctor. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Wallens Ridge State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Field and development producer, Paulie Doyle. Website and podcast de...

Murder, ODs, shakedowns, and riots. Randy describes the wildest week in Wallens Ridge's recent history. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Wallens Ridge State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Field and development producer, Paulie Doyle. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound editing a...

Randy describes the new pod he’s living in Wallens Ridge State Prison. There’s a lot of “backbiting”. Stay out of it, is his advice. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Wallens Ridge State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Field and development producer, Paulie Doyle. Website and podcast design by Ni...

In November 2023, Randy gets transferred to Wallens Ridge State Prison, another supermax, about 40 miles northeast of Red Onion. Three months later, he starts podcasting again. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Wallens Ridge State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Field and development producer, Pa...

Randy is scheduled to be transferred out of Red Onion but he still doesn't know which prison he'll be sent to. In this last episode recorded at Red Onion, Randy calls podcast executive producer Michael Garbutt who was attending a conference at the University of Central Asia in Kyrgyzstan, where Randy meets some students and answers their questions. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Ra...

The Department of Corrections finally grants Randy’s request for a transfer to another prison. But he’s in for a nasty surprise when he finds out the type of prison they’re going to send him to. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Field and developmen...

Randy describes possible changes to legislation that would allow early release for some inmates in Virginia state prisons. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Field and development producer, Paulie Doyle. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav....

Frustration has been the most difficult emotion Randy has to deal with. In this episode, Randy shows that pent-up frustration leads him to quite an unexpected place. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Field and development producer, Paulie Doyle. Web...

In another call-in episode, Dustin wants to know how Randy deals with intense emotions such as sadness and anger while incarcerated. If you have a question for Randy, you can leave him a message on our toll-free line (+) 1-888 524 1932. You can also check him out on Twitter @redonionrandy.  Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onio...

Randy introduces listeners to eight of his fellow inmates at Red Onion. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Field and development producer, Paulie Doyle. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound editing and music by Julia Jooyeon Park. Titl...

A listener wants to know how they can best support a 21-year-old loved one who has been in and out of prison. Randy responds. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Field and development producer, Paulie Doyle. Website and podcast design by Nishant Panda...

If you're planning on writing to an inmate, there are things you should know so that everyone stays safe. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Field and development producer, Paulie "Guinness" Doyle. Website and podcast design by Nishant Pandav. Sound...

Showering in prison can be a very unpleasant and sometimes dangerous experience, as Randy explains, along with some good advice to reduce the risks involved. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Field and development producer, Paulie "Guinness" Doyle....

Randy delves into the importance of working out and introduces 'Convict Conditioning' by Paul Wade, an exercise coaching book that has changed his life. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Field and development producer, Paulie "Guinness" Doyle. Websi...

In response to a listener's questions, Randy explains how he spends his day and what keeps him sane (writing fantasy fiction).Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Field and development producer, Paulie "Guinness" Doyle. Website and podcast design by Ni...

In this first episode of the new season, Randy responds to listener Mikayla's questions. How does he manage anger, she wants to know. Does solitary confinement work? Who are his friends? To put your questions to Randy, call toll free on + 1-888-524-1932.

Randy responds to a question a listener recorded on our toll-free line (+)  1-888 524  1932, and announces a season break. As Randy explains, Red Onion Randy will be back in July, bigger and better than ever!  Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Field...

Randy reflects on the addictive nature of masturbation and pornography and how they can damage our lives and those of our loved ones. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Field and development producer, Paulie "Guinness" Doyle. Website and podcast desi...

How realistic are movie representations of prison? Randy compares the fictions he's seen with the facts he knows so well. Documentary mentioned by Randy in the podcast- Solitary: Inside Red Onion State Prison https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/solitary-inside-red-onion-state-prison/ Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State P...

In this 100th episode, Randy reflects on  two years of podcasting and introduces a new toll-free phone message service for listeners (+)  1-888 524  1932. Documentary mentioned by Randy in the podcast- Solitary: Inside Red Onion State Prison https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/solitary-inside-red-onion-state-prison/ Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving...

Tattoos are an important part of the prison culture and economy. After describing how to make an inking gun and ink, Randy explains what his own tattoos mean to him. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Field and development producer, Paulie “Guinness”...

Having experienced so much violence and death,  Randy thought nothing could  upset him. But when he sees his buddy  Little John close to death,  Randy finds himself reacting in a quite unexpected way. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Field and deve...

At Red Onion, where every inmate is either predator or prey, reputation is everything. Randy has a certain reputation that turns out to be a double-edged sword, as he explains. Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Field and development producer, Paulie...

Listener Advisory:  This episode describes sexual practices in graphic detail, including the practice of "gunning".Red Onion Randy features the life and times of Randall Via, who is currently serving 1,214 years in Red Onion State Prison for capital murder. Directed and produced by Michael Garbutt. Field and development producer, Paulie “Guinness” Doyle. Website and podcast design by Nishant Panda...