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

DATE: THURSDAY, June 3, 1993                   TAG: 9306030203
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER SOUTHWEST BUREAU
DATELINE: WYTHEVILLE                                LENGTH: Medium

BOUCHER SAYS LAW MAY PREVENT HALFWAY HOUSE

A congressman says federal regulations should keep a proposed halfway house for nonviolent felons from locating in Wythe County.

But a state legislator says there is nothing to stop it from taking state prisoners.

"Under the regulations published by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, halfway houses may only be placed in communities in which public support for the facility has been demonstrated," said Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon.

"The regulations require that private companies seeking to establish halfway houses under contract with the federal government make a survey of public opinion in the area and document support for the facility before a contract can be entered into," he said.

That did not happen in Wythe County, where Seacor Inc. planned to use the former Trail Motel at Grahams Forge to house prisoners who are within six months to a year of completing their sentences. A halfway house is supposed to help them readjust to society before release.

Rather than public support, there has been solid opposition. The sheriff and the Board of Supervisors have said they had no advance notice about it.

Del. Tom Jackson, D-Hillsville, said the state has signed no contracts with Seacor, as far as he has been able to ascertain. He said the legislature could oppose such contracts, but the Department of Corrections falls under the executive branch.

"They're certainly under no obligation to do anything the legislature wants them to do," he said. "But I'm certainly going to do everything that I can do; because, you know, it's unfortunate that you have a facility like that locate in a residential community, that the people aren't advised before it happens, and that you really controvert the democratic process."

Boucher said he had sent a resolution from the Board of Supervisors to the Bureau of Prisons, along with his own statement of opposition.

"I have been assured by the bureau that the project has been halted pending a determination by the bureau of community sentiment," he said.

by CNB