THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 4, 1995 TAG: 9506020010
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 26 lines
If it is true about Willie Lloyd Turner's having a .32 revolver with 12 rounds, I would have to put some of the blame on Virginia government for not taking its 6,000 corrections officers seriously.
Would the low salaries ($17,100), staff shortages (one officer to 132 inmates with a 34 percent turnover rate) or the excessive mandatory hours (16-hour shifts sometimes every other day) have anything to do with the problems that have continued to plague the Department of Corrections?
The state continues to ignore the cry for help.
If only the people of Virginia could walk in my shoes for one day, they could get a closer look at the real picture.
STEVEN K. BAINES
Chesapeake, May 27, 1995 by CNB