COLUMBIA, S.C. - Employees from the state Corrections Department criticized a proposal to privatize health care in the prison system, saying they fear it could cost them their jobs.

About 300 Corrections Department employees from across the state met at Francis Burns United Methodist Church in Columbia on Monday to discuss a proposal to privatize the health care system in the state's prisons. Some of the health care workers said they fear they will lose their benefits and possibly their jobs. They also said the inmates won't receive the current quality of care.

"We're fighting it," said Joan Waggoner, nursing supervisor at Kirkland Correctional Institution.

The privatization idea stemmed from a June budget hearing, said Will Folks, Gov. Mark Sanford's spokesman. Sanford didn't attend Monday's meeting.

"This is an idea that the governor has thrown out there, first in an effort to see if it is feasible, if there are potential cost savings and if services can continue to be delivered at the same level they are currently being provided," Folks said.

One of the companies interested in providing health care for prisoners is Correctional Medical Services Inc., a private medical provider based in St. Louis.

The company previously has provided health care to some of the state's prisons, but dropped its contract with the state department in January 2000 after a dispute over how much it was being paid and how much service the company was to provide.

Inmates won't have the same access to specialists if a private company takes over, said Melanie Davis, laboratory director at Kirkland. "They won't get the medical care they need," she said.

State Rep. Leon Howard, D-Columbia, said he plans to share his concerns with the governor. He told workers they are doing the right thing sharing their opinions.

"Call your senator, house member and governor and tell them you won't stand for it," he said.