Senate passes prisoner graffiti cleanup bill

ATLANTA - A bill that allows inmates to scrub graffiti off private businesses and homes passed the state Senate Monday, marking the first time in Georgia history that legislation by a Hispanic legislator passed both chambers. <br> <br> The bill, originated in the House by Representative Pedro Marin, a Democrat from Duluth, would allow inmate labor to clean up graffiti from gangs that have proliferated and left messy writings on private property. The bill passed 51-2. <br> <br> Currently, inmate labor is used only on public grounds to avoid possible corruption by prison officials. Marin, who came to the Senate to watch the vote, said graffiti sends the wrong message to people in the community. <br> <br> He said, ``It says we can&#39;t keep order in our communities. This bill helps the whole community. It&#39;s not about black, white, Hispanic or Indian. It&#39;s about right and wrong and the kind of message we send to people in our communities.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The state&#39;s first Hispanic senator, Democratic Senator Sam Zamarripa of Atlanta, congratulated Marin on his accomplishment.