The Virginia House and Senate both passed legislation Wednesday that would allow inmate labor to be used at rest stops along Virginia’s highways.
Proponents of the bill argue that prisoners used in the program would pose little, if any, risk of flight, and the move could save the state money on maintenance costs.
“The issue of public safety is something that obviously rises to the forefront,” said Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Augusta, the bill’s sponsor in the General Assembly’s upper chamber.
Meanwhile, opponents said that the risk wasn’t worth the potential reward.
“They’re in prison because of bad judgment,” said Sen. Dave Marsden, D-Fairfax. “I think it’s a problematic expansion of the use of inmates.”
