The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 2

A2 THE PANTAQRAPH, Saturday, March 12, 1988 draws cheers, tears Pontiac prison guards say security jeopardized with inmate transfers 3 4 JTV1 A intendent Robert Taylor on Sept. 3 and a majority of other recent violent Incidents at the maximum-security prison. Four Inmates have been charged with murder In connection with Taylor's death, and their cases are still pending In Livingston County Circuit Court. Security measures Instituted after Taylor's death Included construction of catwalks In the east and west cell houses and transferring unassigned Inmates from the south to west house. As a result of this week's transfers, many inmates in the west cell house are single-celled and some cells are vacant, guards said.

The south cell house had a population of 423 yesterday, compared with a capacity of about 800, while the west cell bouse had 115 general population Inmates with a capacity of 228. The west cell house also houses protective custody Inmates. "We feel once again security is getting shafted," a third guard said. "The south house is a death trap for guards and Inmates." One guard summed up the situation this way: "That was Chrans' goal to get all the Inmates Jobs and keep them busy. Now we'll see if it works.

They think assignments (assigned inmates) are going to behave, but that's a myth. An Inmate's going to do what he's got to do." Green disagreed with the guards, saying the moves are the result of numerous reduction, in inmates' security classifications authorized by Pontiac Warden James Chrans. In addition, Ms. Green said, "He (Chrans) felt that some inmates' behavior had Improved, and he thought they might be able to handle Jobs," she said. Decreasing the number of inmates in the west cell house results in better security because of a lower guard to-lnmate ratio, she said, adding that unassigned inmates are typically thought to be more aggressive.

"They have a lower number of the most aggressive ones In one place, and that gives them better security," she explained. But guards said, gang members are showing an interest In assignments merely to get transferred to the south cell house. "There's a lot of concern among the staff because they know what happens when you load up the south," another guard said. The moves have also created concern among some Inmates, one guard reported. Several Inmates who were scheduled for moves to the south house Thursday refused and were taken to disciplinary segregation, he said.

"They said, 'You can put me anywhere you want, but I'm not going to the south The south cell bouse was the site of the brutal slaying of Super By TONY PARKER Pantagraph staff PONTIAC Pontiac prison officials have created an unnecessary security risk by moving at least 65 Inmates to the trouble-prone south cell house, according to numerous guards. Guards said gang members are apparently signing up for Jobs and educational programs so they can be transferred to the south cell house, where illegal activities such as extortion and attacks on guards and fellow prisoners are more easily accomplished. "It's a little harder for them (gang members) to carry out what they want to in the east and west cell houses because they're more wide open. The south cell house has more blind spots," one guard said. "The Inmates aren't dumb, they know what they have to do to go to the south cell house," he added.

The east and west cell houses are more secure because armed guards are positioned on catwalks, guards said. The average guard at the prison is unarmed. At least 37 inmates were transferred from the west cell house, which houses unassigned inmates, to the south cell house during a three-day period this week. In addition, at least 30 other inmates were moved from the prison's two other cell houses to the south house. Prison spokeswoman Dorothea JsA Si Alcohol banned at four I V.A' y.rCi- Supporters of GOP presidential hopeful Pat Robertson gathered at a rally at Fisher High School yesterday.

state parks disturbances also occur during this same season and are almost exclusively alcohol-related," the agency stated in announcing the ban. 'There have been a significant number of complaints about individuals who are intoxicated, misusing and abusing park property and disturbing other visitors," the statement continues. Previously, park officers simply issued tickets to try to combat the problem, but that has not worked. "The Department of Conservation does not feel that attempting to write tickets for the most flagrant alcohol-related violations has been a workable solution. We do not have enough officers to effectively enforce the existing state laws and alcohol regulations," the agency stated.

rests and accidents that he attributed to the annual phenomenon known as "spring fever." As an example, Blume said that during October there are typically fewer than five alcohol-related arrests at Starved Rock, which is just outside LaSalle-Peru. That compares with more than 300 during May. Both months average about 120,000 visitors, he said, adding that most of the alcohol problems involve people in the 15- to 30-year-old age group. According to the agency, more than 90 percent of park accidents involve alcohol, and most of those incidents occur in the spring. "The majority of campground By Pantagraph staff "Spring fever" will be celebrated without booze this year at the popular Starved Rock State Park and three others in LaSalle County.

Citing a high number of alcohol-related problems, Including vandalism, littering and driving under the Influence, the slate Department of Conservation has banned all alcohol at the parks from Jan. 1 to May 31, effective this year. During those months, park officials will confiscate alcohol In Starved Rock, Matthiessen, Illini and Buffalo Rock state parks. The only exception is the Starved Rock Lodge dining room and lodge. Jon Blume, superintendent of the parks complex, said the ban stems from a high number of ar Jim Edgar Secretary of State Robertson By JOHN O'CONNOR Pantagraph atalf FISHER America can have guns and butter obliterating communism worldwide while destroying Illiteracy at home without tax increases or spiraling deficits, Pat Robertson said here yesterday.

A packed, emotion-enveloped Fisher High School gymnasium heard Robertson, running for president as a "freedom fighter," promise to end "communist tyranny" and make America No. 1, like Fisher's football and basketball champions. Later in Springfield, Republican Robertson declared he is the "rallying point for conservatives" with U.S. Rep. Jack Kemp's withdrawal from the race Thursday.

And last night in Normal, Robertson left the television cameras behind but Jammed more shouting believers Into his meeting hall than both his Republican opponents combined In earlier Twin City appearances yesterday. Robertson's comments from Fisher to Normal were met with cheers and tears. At least 500 faithful erupted with roars in each forum when Robertson promised not to abandon the Nicaraguan Contra rebels, saying Americans do not have to be "conditioned to slavery." Standing ovations greeted each Robertson vow to end federal funding of abortion counseling and put God back In the classroom. Quoting Lincoln in Fisher, he said, "'Familiarize yourself with the chains of bondage and you prepare your limbs for We've gotten used to the idea that the people in Czechoslovakia and Hungary and Poland, that those people in Lithuania and those people in Estonia and those in Latvia and in Ethiopia and in Cambodia and in Laos and in Vietnam and in Cuba and now in Nicaragua must always be in slavery "I want to see the downfall of communist tyranny in every nation on the face of the earth, including, one day, God willing, the Soviet Union itself." Robertson pledged that America can have "peace through strength" with lower taxes, contending that the alternative Is "state socialism, the welfare state." Robertson said after his speech he can continue defense-building without new taxes by cutting waste. As much as $40 billion could be cut from military expenditures by tightening Pentagon buying practices, he contended.

At the same time, he could end illiteracy a Robertson pet peeve for as little as $3 billion. It costs eight dollars to teach one person to read, he said, while illiteracy drains $220 billion yearly from the U.S. economy. He would implement a program similar to one he has instituted with private business, he said. He claimed as many as 60 percent of those in prison are there because they cannot read.

"I'm a conservative and what I want is a conservative government Supporters By JOHN O'CONNOR Pantagraph staff FISHER Steve LaBerge waited patiently while Pat Robertson answered questions upon arriving at Fisher High School yesterday. When Robertson broke free and began moving toward the stage to tell a gymnasium full of well-wishers why he should be president, LaBerge clasped Robertson's hand. "God bless you, brother. We're so glad you're here," said LaBerge, an alternate Robertson delegate. Robertson has downplayed his former job as a television preacher.

But he makes no apologies for wanting God in government. That is why his supporters want to make him president. "For one thing, Pat Robertson's a Christian, and we need more Christians in government," said Edna Bradley of Fisher. "Ninety-six percent of the people in the United States of America are God-loving people," said Phil Brown of Champaign. "Of that 96 percent, 90 percent don't feel God has any business running the country.

"It's hypocritical to love God and Hart takes '88 By Washington Post DENVER Gary Hart, the former Democratic front-runner who would not follow the rules of conventional politics, finally did something predictable: Yesterday he withdrew from the 1988 presidential campaign. Relaxed and upbeat, seeming satisfied that he had "done the right thing" with his surprising re-entry into the race last December, the former Colorado senator marked his departure with generous words for his Democratic rivals, the news based on freedom and a Congress that's conservative and not liberal and a move toward free I'm running for president as a freedom fighter." At a Springfield news conference, Robertson claimed he is the choice for conservatives now that Kemp is out. "I am the rallying point for the conservatives he said. "With Kemp's departure, I am emerging as the conservative candidate. And I'm going all the way to New Orleans." Robertson acknowledged George Bush's steamrolling campaign, but challenged the vice president to beat him in the Midwest.

However, he said if Bush wins the nomination, he will "do whatever I'm asked to do" to support him, but "I'm not going to campaign blindly." Robertson said his delegates "don't make deals" and would not switch to Bush. He denied he will play a broker role at the GOP convention. "I'm only going to be No. 1," he said at Fisher. McLean County Kemp coordinator Lee Newcom came to last night's Normal rally to pledge his 'L int pnngrpnMAURfcfeN O'Connor support, now that his candidate no longer is in the race.

For Newcom it was a natural change to the man he said was the only true visionary conservative left in the race. "Kemp and Robertson people tend to be really dedicated to their candidate," Newcom said, compared with supporters of other candidates. He said he expects other Kemp people to join the Robertson camp. Robertson organizer Mark Jones was looking at the big picture last night, no matter how his candidate does Tuesday. "He'll take some delegates that's the important thing," Jones said.

"It's not a quick fight. We'll be there for the congressmen and senators in 1990. Ninety-nine percent of these people have never been involved in politics before. That's what's good coming out of this." Daniel Scalf, Robertson's state coordinator, was taking the same long-range view last night. "We've got to build a conservative coalition not only for 1988 but for 1990 and 1998," Scalf said.

"We're in this campaign for the long run." Hazel Barrett of Fisher said the media has treated Robertson unfairly, that he deserves more time on television. But it wasn't an image supporters saw yesterday. It was Robertson, in the flesh. Some wiped tears from their eyes as he spoke. "I'm not 18, so I can't vote, but he's got all the answers said Matt Bachtold, 15, of Fairbury.

"I have a teacher who said he won't get it all done, but with God's help, anything is possible through our Lord Jesus Christ. He's our man. We need him. Without him, the country will fall apart." Sarah Bachtold, 11, agreed that America needs Christian leadership, a theme supporters constantly harped on during Robertson's visit. "I think he's God's man," said Roger Bachtold of Fairbury.

"It's high time we put God back in government and in the schools. Pat is the man to do that." Tom Cagle of Fisher, who wore a shirt that said, "Radically Saved," said, "I think he stands for moral issues in the world today. What's good for the family is good for government." Cagle applauded Robertson's stands on education especially in helping people with learning disabilities and a "consistent" foreign policy. "First of all, I believe in God and I believe in country," Ken Blanck, a U.S. Army veteran of Onarga declared.

"We've seen the country go too far to the left." Blanck believes in a strong military and abhors abortion. "I do appreciate his stand on issues," said Christine Cender of Fisher. "He doesn't mince words and he has a spirit of honesty that I haven't seen in a politician in a long time. He's gained my trust. "And he's a Christian." OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE Springfield, Illinois 62756 want Christian president The Honorable Ron Dozier State's Attorney McClean xuyton, Dear Ron: 6leVati- to the no one more te can tlnk otners have meant a aread ln ve appreciated aU 'oTf and 1 ProsecutoJiiimarlnnurt-PreSeCe in the APril 13, 1987 se 61701 Illinoi Bes regards, Edgar etary of state feel a God-loving man like Pat Robertson doesn't have any business running the country," Brown said.

Brown's attitude ran rampant at Fisher High School. So it is no the audience roared with approval when Robertson assured them that "God has a plan for eve ry one of you" and that his Oval Office would be well-rounded with faith in God. "I believe Pat Robertson is God's man and he is going to be the victor with God's help," said Viola Stacey of Fisher. "Government was established by God and God is in control." It is that belief, in this bastion of basic beliefs, that brought Robertson here for his Central Illinois appearance. He admitted his popularity soars high here and with Fisher's help, he can be the "No.

1" Republican he claims he will be at the GOP convention. "I'd far rather have a president who bowed to God than a president who thought he was God," Milton Kelly, Robertson's 15th District coordinator, said in introducing the candidate. "Amen!" cried one from the audience. bow again media and even the voters who soundly rejected him in primaries and caucuses. Hart flashed a rueful smile as he recalled his exhortation: "Let the people decide." "I got a fair hearing, and the people have decided," he said.

Hart was asked about the striking difference in tone and atmosphere between his first withdrawal from the race and yesterday's. "Things have changed," he said. "Nobody's peeking in our windows any more." Paid for by the Committee to Elect Judge Dozler, Roland Thoma, Treasurer.