THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, May 22, 1995 TAG: 9505180017
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 30 lines
Upon reading about the great state of Alabama returning to the use of the ``chain gang'' (news, May 4), I felt compelled to do an informal survey amongst associates and co-workers. The question was: How many are dog owners and of those how many have them chained? Unofficial results showed none chained. It was almost a 50-50 split showing half were house pets, while the other half lived outside in a fenced yard.
It's understandable that the governor wants to make prison life as unpleasant and uncomfortable as possible, but it should not be at the risk of turning back the hands of time and dehumanizing these inmates. Denying repeat offenders television, visitors and store privileges and still having them work the roads should suffice.
The truth be told, the brutalizations of an innocent man in 1932 didn't sway public opinion to abolish the Southern chain gangs. What brought about the change was the fact the person was not of color.
HERBERT SMITH
Virginia Beach, May 12, 1995 by CNB