THE DISCOVERY OF ASBESTOS HAS STALLED CONSTRUCTION OF A SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA PRISON. CONSTRUCTION ON THE MEDIUM-SECURITY FACILITY NEAR INDEPENDENCE VIRGINIA WAS HALTED AFTER WORKERS FOUND ASBESTOS IN ROCK THERE. THE STATE WANTS THE PRISON TO BE UP AND RUNNING BY JUNE OF 2010. HOWEVER, CONSTRUCTION HAS CEASED FOR AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME UNTIL THE CONTRACTOR DEVELOPS A PLAN TO DEAL WITH THE SITUATION. WORKERS DISCOVERED THE ASBESTOS WHILE DRILLING AND BLASTING A ROCK FORMATION. ACCORDING TO OSHA, ASBESTOS IS RECOGNIZED AS A HEALTH HAZARD, AND IS HIGHLY REGULATED.