                                ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Saturday, April 13, 1996               TAG: 9604150059
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-3  EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
DATELINE: RICHMOND

VA. PRISONERS TO ASSEMBLE OFFICE FURNITURE

Virginia prison inmates will assemble office furniture for sale to government agencies and nonprofit groups, the head of the state's prison system said Friday.

Ron Angelone, director of the Department of Corrections, said as many as 300 inmate jobs will be created as a result of an agreement between the department and six companies.

The agreement is the first signed under a 1993 law authorizing the joint ventures with public or private entities to operate inmate work programs.

The Boling Co. of Siler City, N.C., will provide office furniture components. Inmates will assemble the furniture, which will be sold through Andersen Business Furniture, Chasen's Business Interiors, B.T. Office International Products Inc., Harris Office Equipment and Morton Marks & Sons.

``This project benefits everyone,'' Angelone said. ``More inmates can become productive, private businesses can access a broader market, and governmental and not-for-profit customers have an expanded choice of products.''

- Associated Press

LENGTH: Short :   31 lines

by CNB