                                ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Monday, November 4, 1996               TAG: 9611040089
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-1  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: RICHMOND

BISHOP UPSET OVER ACCESS TO DEATH ROW ASSOCIATED PRESS

Richmond's Roman Catholic bishop is sparring with the Department of Corrections over access to prisoners on death row.

Bishop Walter Sullivan wrote an angry letter Friday to the department's director, Ron Angelone, saying he was denied access to inmates at Mecklenburg Prison who are scheduled to be executed in the coming weeks.

``I am outraged that actions by prison authorities would deny those on death row soon to be executed even spiritual comfort and forgiveness,'' Sullivan wrote. ``I believe this denial of religious and spiritual ministry to Catholics by their bishop is a violation of their human rights and an affront to human decency.''

But David Botkins, a spokesman for the department, said Saturday that Sullivan had been prevented from visiting the prisoners Oct. 29 because of a routine prison lockdown. He said that the prison goes through the drill regularly and that Sullivan could reschedule his visit for Nov.18.

``We have certain security requirements,'' Botkins said. ``There are 355 convicts, 55 of which are some of the most heinous murderers on death row. As a result of that, we have certain scheduling commitments ourselves.''

He said that Sullivan's complaints were motivated by more than scheduling problems.

``The tone of the bishop's letter was more a denunciation of the death penalty than a protest of inmates receiving religious visits,'' Botkins said. ``No inmate will be denied a religious visit.''

Three Catholic inmates are among seven scheduled to be executed before the end of the year. They are: Joseph P. Payne, Thursday; Larry Stout, Dec. 10; and Lem Tuggle, Dec.12.

In his letter to Angelone, Sullivan wrote that as soon as he learned of the execution dates for the three men, ``I rearranged my tight schedule to be able to celebrate Mass for the Catholics.''

Botkins said that all death row inmates can receive religious visits prior to execution.

Payne has been moved to Greensville Correctional Center, site of the execution chamber. Botkins said Sullivan is welcome to visit Payne there.

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