JESSUP, Md. -- Owners of seafood processing plants on Maryland's Eastern Shore are considering using state prisoners to pick crabs since foreign workers' are having trouble getting temporary visas.
Chesapeake Bay Seafood Industries Association members toured the women's prison in Jessup and the prerelease unit for women in Baltimore this week.
Corrections officials toured two Dorchester County crab houses a few weeks ago.
Corrections officials approached processors, but they say the discussions are "very preliminary." Maryland law would allow it, but there are still logistical concerns about transportation, quality control and sanitation.
Meanwhile, the Dorchester County Seafood Packers Association is sponsoring a job fair on Hoopers Island on Thursday, seeking more than 300 locals to pick crabs.
