
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, February 9, 1991                   TAG: 9102090218
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Medium

PANEL OKS PRIVATE-PRISON BILLS

A Senate committee Friday approved two House bills that would allow construction of private prisons, but killed a third bill that would have authorized private jails.

The Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee approved a bill, 9-6, that would authorize a private women's prison and pre-release center for men. Another bill, which would allow two private detention centers for children, was approved 13-2.

But a bill that would permit two private local or regional jails was killed on a voice vote after several sheriffs spoke against it.

The sheriffs said jails should be managed by elected officials, not private companies pursuing a profit.

"We're here to protect the people and we're here to answer to the people," said Virginia Beach Sheriff Frank Drew. "I don't think you'll get that out of a private company."

The bills, sponsored by Del. Franklin Hall, D-Richmond, instruct the state Department of Corrections to develop regulations and cost analyses for the private prisons by Dec. 1. Next year's General Assembly would decide whether the private prisons should be built.

Hall said the study will reveal whether a private prison would be cheaper than one built and run by the state. "We'd like the chance to see if we can demonstrate a savings to the taxpayer," Hall said.

Sen. Charles Waddell, D-Loudoun County, agreed that the state should pursue the idea. "This state should not be afraid of innovation," he said.

But Sen. Frank Nolen, D-Augusta, said he was worried that private prison employees would be paid less and have fewer benefits than state workers.

"The time to kill a snake is when you first see it," said Nolen, who has several state prisons in his district.

Sen. Dudley Emick, D-Fincastle and the committee's chairman, said he could support private juvenile facilities but not private prisons for adults.

"Government is responsible for certain things and they ought not delegate them," he said. "You could have a more efficient General Assembly if you went to the private sector. However, that's not the way it ought to work."

by CNB