An Unexpected Endorsement

The Associated Press' Tom Breen explores an interesting wrinkle in the ongoing push to improve corrections salaries. Inmates are writing lawmakers in support of pay raises.

These letters express an interesting point: just as corrections officers protect the public from these prisoners, they also protect inmates from each other.

West Virginia has seen turnover worsen among corrections staff in recent years. One in five statewide quit in 2005; at the Mount Olive prison, one in three left.

Officers warned legislators about the dangers of staffing shortages over the course of several monthly interim meetings. They underscored their message on Monday, Corrections Day at the Legislature.

Breen's story was picked up by our national wire. Besides USA Today and other major U.S. dailies, the article found its way to South Africa and other points abroad.