WISE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Officials at Red Onion State Prison say claims about inmates setting themselves on fire were false. Meanwhile, advocates are standing by the statements they made. Gregory Holloway, of the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC), spoke with 8News and other members of the media claiming that misinformation was spread following several "self-inflicted burn" incidents by inmates. Holloway and others shared this message after the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus (VLBC) released a statement claiming at least 12 inmates set themselves on fire. The VLBC says these actions were in response to "degrading and inhumane conditions" at Red Onion State Prison. These allegations include physical and racial abuse, excessive stays in solitary confinement, inedible food covered in maggots and officers' spit and violent dog attacks. VADOC Director Chad Dotson called these claims ludicrous saying, "the recent round of stories about Red Onion are nothing more than bad-faith efforts to try to score cheap political points by advocacy groups who pursue prison abolition and policies that would make Virginians less safe." (Photo: Paul Nevadomski, 8News)(Photo: Paul Nevadomski, 8News) Holloway told 8News that six inmates burned themselves after using "improvised devices" created by tampering with electrical outlets. He says the inmates were treated at VCU Medical Center before returning to the prison. They are now receiving mental health treatment. "The Virginia Department of Corrections top priority is the safety and security of our corrections team members and inmates," Holloway said. "We take our job very seriously and we have a zero-tolerance for inhumane treatment of inmates." Caucus members are standing by their claims and Natasha White with Interfaith Action for Human Rights is advocating for the family of one of the inmates involved. "Red Onion is a stain on this country, period," she said. "The lack of humanity there and the abuses that occurred there are common." Caucus members are now calling on Governor Glenn Youngkin, Department Director Chadwick Dotson and Attorney General Jason Miyares among others to step in. During a press conference on Tuesday, Nov. 26, Youngking said, in part, that his office had "been in conversations with the Department of Corrections about these circumstances.” A spokesperson from the Office of the Attorney General told 8News "we are aware of the Virginia Department of Corrections' response and are monitoring the situation as appropriate."