Litter Pickup By NC Prisoners Poised For Scrap Heap

Prisoners picking up trash while guards keep close watch has been a common sight along North Carolina roads for more than 100 years. But that chore could soon be taken up by private contractors.

The proposed state budget does not include money for the Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice to pay for litter crews and road squads. Both House and Senate budget offers would shift the funding to the Department of Transportation to use more private contractors.

Transportation budget-writers say that when you factor in how many miles of roadside are covered, prison teams are more expensive than contractors.

Some lawmakers are lamenting the possible end of litter pickup by prisoners as a public service. A budget provision could keep open the door for them to perform the work if costs come down.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.