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

DATE: SUNDAY, June 18, 1995                   TAG: 9506190029
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

BILL WOULD FORCE INMATE WORK

States that fail to adopt work and education requirements for inmates would be denied federal prison money under legislation proposed by Republican senators.

Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama, whose state revived prison chain gangs this year, said last week that states would not qualify for construction grants authorized in the 1994 crime bill unless they require all prisoners to complete 48 hours of work and 16 hours of education each week.

While the states could design the programs, Shelby said, the legislation specifically would deny inmates such privileges as television and weight-lifting equipment until they completed the work and study requirements.

``I believe the American public is fed up with what we call social rehabilitation,'' he said. ``The best rehabilitation for hardened criminals is hard work. The taxpayers do it every day.''

The legislation quickly drew fire from the American Correctional Association, which represents prison employees and professionals. President Bobbie L. Huskey said 70 percent of state inmates already work on a daily basis.

``Education and work are important, but to ignore the benefits of vocational training, drug treatment and post-release assistance is not in the best interests of correctional workers or society,'' she said.

by CNB