Date: Saturday, March 23, 1996  
Source: By Michael Dizon, Tribune Staff Writer.   
Section: NEWS  
Parts: 5  
Dateline: SPRINGFIELD    
Copyright Chicago Tribune

PRISON OFFICIALS, NAACP OBJECT, BUT `CHAIN GANGS' PLAN ADVANCES   

   A proposal to shackle Illinois inmates as they work in "chain gangs" won
approval Friday in the House Judiciary Committee despite opposition from
prison officials and activists.

   Proponents of the bill contend that having prisoners perform hard labor in
public areas would reduce crime rates and save the state money.

   "This is not a country club atmosphere," said Rep. Ronald Wait
(R-Rockford), the bill's sponsor. "It sets an example that shows young people
what happens when you break the law."

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   The proposal was opposed Friday by officials of the Illinois Department of
Corrections and the NAACP.

   Odie Washington, director of the state prison system, said the move could
pose a risk to public safety by allowing dangerous inmates who require the
security of chains to leave prison grounds to do work. The state currently
lets some inmates who are deemed low escape or violence risks to work outside
of prison without chains.
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