The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, December 15, 1995              TAG: 9512150011
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A18  EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   24 lines

AGAINST PRISON PICNICS

The article ``Prisons tighten policies'' (Nov. 6) literally made me sick. The confessed murderer of my son is serving time in the James River Correctional Center.

After the torment my family has been through because of this, I believe this murderer can live without family picnics, grills, hot dogs, free medical and dental service, etc.

My son can't see or touch his family, like so many other victims of murder.

Eugenia Willis Gates

Norfolk, Nov. 6, 1995 by CNB