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Jailed VA Lawmaker Supports Right to Porn by Inmates

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A Virginia lawmaker who spends his nights in jail is opposing a measure aimed at keeping pornography out of the hands of inmates.

Del. Joe Morrissey voted Wednesday against a bill that would prohibit inmates from possessing obscene material.

The bill passed by a broad majority and its sponsor said the state's wardens support the measure so that they can keep "hard-core" pornography out of the hands of inmates.

But Morrissey told reporters that the measure won't survive legal challenges and noted that he is a former constitutional law professor.

The 57-year-old was sentenced to six months in jail for contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He is on a work-release program that allows him to spend his days in the General Assembly and his nights in jail.

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Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.