PRINT THIS PAGE | E-MAIL THIS PAGE

Wednesday, May 28, 1997

Prisoners walk miles to help abused children

LOCKHART, Texas (AP) - Prison has inmates at Lockhart Correctional Facility walking in circles to raise money for abused children.

The miles are adding up, but not the contributions, prison officials say.

Since May 1, 175 women have logged more than 3,800 miles in the prison's exercise yard, which takes seven laps to complete a mile.

The marathon ends June 30. So far, the inmates' efforts only have rung up $800 to help abused children through Parents Anonymous of Texas, which has sponsored prison walkathons for seven years.

"A lot of people don't want to sponsor an inmate, so what we're looking for are people to sponsor the facility," prison recreation director Jerry Barnett said. "It's been a real disappointment."

Barnett hopes to persuade more people outside the prison walls to open their wallets to help the inmates' sweaty miles make a difference.

Inmate Linda Thompson, 33, told the Austin American-Statesman that she has logged 60 miles because the cause hits close to home for her.

"I came from an abusive background, and I know what child abuse can lead to," said Ms. Thompson, imprisoned for manslaughter and firearm possession. "If you just stop one child from being abused, we've accomplished our task here."

The minimum-security prison operated for the state by the Wackenhut Corrections Corp. houses 500 men and 500 women.

About 20 men are participating in the walkathon, which also is taking place at 55 other adult and juvenile prisons in Texas.

Parents Anonymous program coordinator Linda Brown said the effort raised $21,944 and racked up 26,000 miles last year.

A substance-abuse prison in Brownwood last year had 360 inmates walk 3,300 miles.

The Lockhart facility has the Brownwood facility's record beat hands down, Ms. Brown said. And she's convinced the Lockhart facility's efforts will pay off.

"It's just beginning to trickle in," she said. "Especially when the inmates start contacting their families and friends in the free world. It just takes some time for things to happen." Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
Send the URL (Address) of This Story to A Friend: