Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 17, 1993 TAG: 9306170242
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Peter G. Decker Jr. told the board in his annual State of Corrections speech that Virginia's prison population has soared from 9,463 in 1983 to 16,921 last year, a 79 percent increase.
He said parents must teach their children to be more law-abiding, public housing must be improved and alternatives to prison should be explored.
"I cannot help but wonder, too, if there is not some correlation between the striking down of prayer in the schools and this 79 percent rise," Decker said. "I don't remember when God became an outlaw."
"Though there certainly needs to be a separation between church and state, let's not overdo it," he said. "At the same time that the United States Supreme Court invited God out of our schools, that's when drugs, violence and immorality moved in."
Decker, a Roman Catholic, told reporters that if the 1962 Supreme Court ruling on school prayer was overturned, "the offended atheists would be a micro, mini minority."
Kent Willis, state director of the American Civil Liberties Union, said Decker seemed to be echoing the views of religious broadcaster Pat Robertson.
"There's a difference between teaching values and teaching religious dogma. Schools may teach values," Willis said.
Decker, a Norfolk defense attorney, is stepping down June 30 after more than 10 years on the corrections board. He has often grabbed headlines, particularly for suggesting that public housing projects be razed to cut crime and for criticizing politicians who want to lock up criminals "and throw away the key."
Decker said Gov. Douglas Wilder will appoint him to another state board shortly but he declined to say which one. Glenn Davidson, Wilder's press secretary, said the governor has made no decision.
Decker's replacement will be Penelope Anderson of Richmond, deputy secretary of the commonwealth and a former national president of Offender Aid and Restoration.
Anderson said she hopes to continue Decker's efforts to get more funding for treatment of drug and sex offenders.
by CNB