DARTMOUTH - With State Representative Tony Cabral filing legislation to block proposals by Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson, the Sheriff has a few words of his own to say.

Cabral's bills filed in the House would limit inmates to performing off-site community service to in-state projects only, meaning Hodgson's inmates would not be able to volunteer to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Hodgson tells WBSM News any work performed by inmates for any county is a savings to taxpayers. "Why Representative Cabral would be against inmates trying to rehabilitate themselves before their re-entry, and saving taxpayers money, is beyond me," said Hodgson.

Cabral said he has concerns over security should Hodgson allow inmates to volunteer to build President Trump's proposed border wall. Hodgson says Cabral is not in the business of law enforcement. "Representative Cabral is probably the last person I would seek out advice for on how to secure inmates or how to transport inmates....We know what we're doing. We don't need state representatives or people in the legislature to start stepping into our business and telling us how to secure inmates."

Hodgson says he plans to testify against Cabral's proposals when they come up in the House on Beacon Hill.

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