Illinois inmates help in pre-emptive sandbagging

DU QUOIN, Ill. - With flood season approaching, Illinois prison inmates are helping restock the supply of sandbags for makeshift levees.

The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan (http://bit.ly/1sLDxoJ) reports that Du Quoin-based prisoners convicted of non-violent offenses have stuffed about 126 tons of sand into about 12,000 sandbags.

It is part of a collaboration between the state Department of Corrections, the Du Quoin State Fair and Nikki's Place. That video gaming business with 13 southern Illinois sites donated the sand and the bags, and the fair will provide the covered storage.

As superintendent of the Du Quoin boot camp, Clem Campanella says the sandbags are available to anyone requesting them and can be accessed through local emergency services or emergency management agencies.