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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 6, 1993                   TAG: 9301060305
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

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PRISONERS AREN'T CODDLED

THIS IS in response to the letter written by Ben M. Rice, "Let Prisoners Work For Their Keep" (Dec. 23).

First, he should check into the system before writing about something that he knows nothing about. Prisoners are categorized and confined according to how dangerous they have been judged by the system. So-called dangerous inmates are confined in a 6-by-12 cell and only allowed out to shower or use the phone, usually once a week.

We so-called minimal-security prisoners on road camps work for our living, what little we get. Sure, we are paying for our mistakes - by being kept away from the ones whom we love and care about.

Inmates on road camps are not coddled, as you have so freely worded. For those of you who are interested, the prison system is big business for Virginia and probably employs more people than any big corporation. If these people are so interested in reducing the budget, the parole board should consider releasing a lot of the nonviolent prisoners who are being kept. RANDY YOUNG DUBLIN

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