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A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE OPPOSITION OF CITY COUNCIL TO ANY CONTINUATION OF THE STATE WORK RELEASE PROG~ FOR CONVICTED CRI~I~NALS. WHEREAS, the State of Virginia has operated a work release program as a part of its penal system; and ~LEREAS, the work release program has permitted dan- gerous and violent felons to be released in the City of Portsmouth and neighboring communities; and WHEREAS, some of the felons released have committed atrocious and brutal crmmes, including premeditated murders; and WHEREAS, the senseless and brutal slayings recently committed have demonstrated that the work release program is completely unreliable and wholly unable to Screen out even the most dangerous felons. NOW, Tt~REFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia, that the council does hereby ex- press its vehement opposition to the work release program as presently organized and administered, and the Council most strongly urges responsible state officials immediately to ter- minate such program. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Co%Lncit is opposed to any subsequent reinstatement of said program, ~nless the most stringent safeguards are included to prevent participation by violent and dangerous crmminals in such program. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Council does hereby ex- press, on behalf of the members of this community, their oppo- sition to being used as "guinea pigs" in experiments in the area of criminal corrections and in particular to such programs which pose a danger to the co~unity. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager be, and he hereby is, authorized and directed to forward certified copies of this resolution to the Office of the Governor, the Director of the Virginia Department of Corrections, a!~ legislators re- presenting the City of Portsmouth and other responsible state officials; the City Manager is further authorized and directed to meet, communicate and confer with responsible state officials as may be necessary or prudent from time to time in order to keep such officials apprised of the concerns of this Council for the safeuy and welfare of this community.