Austin American-Statesman e(11 4-(gl C19 White will allow corrections board to hire law firm NAVASOTA (AP) — Attorney General Mark White changed his mind and gave the Texas Board of Corrections the green light to hire a prestigious Hous- ton law firm to aid in the state's appeal of a federal ruling that orders changes in the state prison system. White, who earlier said he .didn't need help in the complex case, said Monday the board .could could hire Fulbright & Ja- worski, the nation's fourth larg- est law firm. State agencies cannot hire outside counsel to represent them unless the attorney gen- eral gives permission. White met behind closed doors for more than an hour and "reluctantly agreed" to hire the firm, said board chairman T. Louis Austin of Dallas. When told of White decision, Gov. Bill Clements said he was "now, more than ever, confid- net that some of the more un- reasonable orders will be over- turned to the benefit of Texas taxpayers." The private law firm will aid the state's appeal of a ruling by U.S. District Judge William Wayne Justice of Tyler that could force sweeping and costly changes in the state prisons. In March, prison officials asked White to hire outside law- yers, but he resisted. After the prison board ex- pressed concern about his han- dling of the appeal, the attorney general hired two additional lawyers and four law clerks to work on the case now before the 5th U.S. Circuit of Appeals in New Orleans.