Inmate Rest Stop Work Bills Pass General Assembly

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Updated: 12:43 PM Feb 4, 2011 Inmate Rest Stop Work Bills Pass General Assembly RICHMOND, Va. (AP) Bills allowing inmates to maintain Virginia's rest stops has cleared both houses, but not without debate that doing so could hurt public safety and Virginia's image. Posted: 11:05 AM Feb 4, 2011 Email Address: news@newsplex.com

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February 4, 2011

Bills allowing inmates to maintain Virginia's rest stops has cleared both houses, but not without debate that doing so could hurt public safety and Virginia's image.

The Senate passed the bill on a 26-14 vote Wednesday after questions by legislators on both sides of the aisle about how the inmates would be supervised and what message it sends to visitors. The House also passed a bill on a 74-24 vote.

Sen. Emmett Hanger said his bill would save the state money. The state currently contracts with private companies to provide the labor, but could pay the Department of Corrections $1.50 per hour for the work.

All work would be outside the rest stops, such as mowing the grass, fixing the roofs and landscaping.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Big Poppa Location: Charlottesville on Feb 8, 2011 at 06:04 PM

I think this idea is good as long as their is no harden criminals able to do so, such as child molesters, Rapist or murders. They need to make our Homeless population do some work, if they can stand around and walk our streets then they could work !

Posted by: Inmates at work on Feb 4, 2011 at 11:57 PM

These inmates are not dangerous. Their crimes like citizen said. Their will not be someone that is a murderer or rapist so need not worry they are well supervised at least they want to work not like some of the inmates. Breath in breath out you are safe.

Posted by: $comment.getName() Location: Albemarle on Feb 4, 2011 at 05:04 PM

I think this is a terrible idea. Who would want their kids going in to use the restroom if they see convicts walking around? There are better ways that these folks could serve the Commonwealth without being front and center for visitors driving through. One bad incident would blow up into a national news story at the speed of light.

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