Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 20, 1993 TAG: 9306200131
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: E8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium
Gilmore and his Democratic opponent, William Dolan, spoke at the annual meeting of the Virginia State Bar.
Gilmore told an audience of 250 that people are frustrated with the way criminals are treated and said the present system "breeds cynicism and contempt for the law." He said criminals should serve a substantial portion of their sentences.
Gilmore, commonwealth's attorney for Henrico County for the past six years, said he also would support tougher sentencing for repeat offenders.
Dolan, 48, an Arlington attorney, agreed on tougher sentencing for repeat offenders. But after the meeting, he called Gilmore's argument for "total abolition of parole" an economic nightmare because it would require the construction of more prisons.
Gilmore, 43, said that "prison cells are less expensive than funerals" [and] "grandiose offices for the state lottery."
While Gilmore's plan would mean increased cost for new prisons, Dolan outlined a plan that would focus on early intervention. Dolan said his approach to crime would include an increased emphasis on juvenile courts.
"That's where we can make a difference," he said, explaining a need for intervention at the elementary and middle-school levels. "In the cold world of the streets, 16 and 17 is not young. Too many of our youngsters are gone by the time they reach 16."
Dolan said he wants to recruit retired noncommissioned officers from the armed services to serve as probation supervisors for younger offenders, especially truants and runaways.
He also called for effective action against handguns, saying they had become "the badges of manhood on the streets."
Gilmore said after the meeting he does not support handgun control.
by CNB