Malik Muhammad, an activist serving a lengthy federal sentence related to the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, was reportedly transferred from an Oregon prison to Kirkland Correctional Institute in South Carolina without prior notice to their attorney or family. Muhammad's attorney, Lauren Regan, discovered the transfer after losing contact with them, raising concerns about their well-being. Friends and family expressed fears for Muhammad's safety, as they had been unable to locate them for weeks.
Muhammad described the conditions at Kirkland as inadequate, citing insufficient access to water, food, and recreation. The South Carolina Department of Corrections stated they had no record of Muhammad in their custody, further complicating efforts to confirm their status. Regan indicated that she has been unable to communicate with Muhammad directly due to licensing issues, necessitating the hiring of a local attorney to assist.
The transfer has been characterized by some as retaliatory, given Muhammad's activism and previous treatment in Oregon, where they reportedly spent over 250 days in solitary confinement. Oregon officials denied any retaliatory motives, stating that the transfer followed a thorough review process. Muhammad, who was sentenced to 10 years for charges including unlawful possession of a destructive device, had initially negotiated to serve their time in Oregon to remain close to their support network.