Terry, I grew up in Tennessee. They used to use "chain gangs" to keep the roads clean. I can remember driving by and seeing the men on the horses with the rifles, sort of scary. However now, instead of using the state road department to mow the medians as they do here in WV, they hire the farmers with the big tractors to do it. It gives me something to do while they are waiting for their tobacco and soybean crops and also puts an extra dollar or two in their pockets. It saves the state money because they don't have to buy the equipment on top of paying someone to do the work. Here in Fayette County, they use the prisoners to take care of the county property, such as mowing the lawn and trimming at the court house and the memorial building. Anita