Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 8, 1994 TAG: 9409090012
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By MARGARET EDDS AND LAURA LaFAY STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Early in the day, a subcommittee of a legislative commission that has been studying the parole issue for almost two years voted to support an alternative plan for abolishing parole.
Later, about 200 people showed up at a forum sponsored by Rep. Robert C. Scott, D-Newport News, to hear three nationally recognized crime experts discuss the problem of violence. All three experts denounced Allen's plan, saying that it will cost too much money and that it won't work because it fails to address the root causes of crime.
But the vote and the forum seemed largely symbolic. Allen announced that 74 of 100 House members and 31 of 40 senators have signed on as co-patrons of his plan.
``We don't need any dilatory delays. We don't need any dawdling,'' said Allen, who was flanked at the news conference by the two Republicans and two Democrats who are chief sponsors of his plan.
Allen called the degree of bipartisan support for his plan ``unprecedented'' and predicted that the state's ``deceitful parole system ... will be a thing of the past come January.''
Del. James Almand, D-Arlington, one of the newly signed-up co-patrons of the governor's plan, is co-chairman of the legislative study group on parole. On Wednesday, Almand conceded that Allen has emerged victorious in the largest sense.
``Clearly, the legislature is going to abolish parole and the parole board,'' he said.
Some Democrats have indicated that they signed on in part so they could have some influence over the structure of the bill. It is not clear, however, how their sponsorship will increase their influence over the final product.
``I think they're all just running scared,'' said Julie McConnell, associate executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union in Richmond.
``They're afraid that, if they don't sign on, they'll get creamed in the next election. This has just been such a masterful snow job by Allen.''
But the Democrats were still insisting Wednesday night that they plan to exert some control over the issue.
``We expect that Proposal X will be one of several proposals that come before the special session this month,'' said party spokeswoman Gail Nardi.
``Del. Frank Hall of Richmond has a proposal that will eliminate parole immediately for all violent criminals - even those who are in prison now.
``I think there will be others. It's the General Assembly's job to look at all the proposals and to take the best parts of each to craft whatever bill is passed. Democrats and Republicans agree that Virginia needs parole reform, truth in sentencing and truth in financing.''
The plan put forward Wednesday is patterned on a Pennsylvania system. It would end parole and toughen penalties for violent crime, as does Allen's plan. However, it also would give every criminal a maximum and minimum penalty at the time of their sentencing.
For example, a criminal might receive a 10- to 20-year penalty for a specific crime. After the minimum sentence had been served, a sentencing commission would decide whether the individual should be released or kept longer, based on his or her behavior and prospects after prison.
``It's X-Plus,'' Almand said, comparing it to Allen's Proposal X. The full study group is expected to vote Monday on the idea.
Almand argued that the legislators' plan would go even further than Allen's. ``Minimum'' sentences could be as tough as the mandatory sentences set by Proposal X, and could be further lengthened if the sentencing commission decided that the prisoner was not ready to be released, Almand said.
But Allen and his bill's sponsors scoffed at the idea, noting that - after almost two years of study - the legislators cannot say precisely what the recommended sentences would be under their plan.
Allen's allies also suggested that the ``sentencing commission'' is simply another name for a parole board. ``The other bill perpetrates a fraud on the citizens of Virginia,'' said state Sen. Kenneth Stolle, R-Virginia Beach, one of four chief sponsors of Proposal X. ``It's not going to abolish parole; it's just going to rename the parole board.''
Del. Glenn Croshaw, D-Virginia Beach, a House sponsor, said he believes the 105 legislators who've signed on with Allen will support the thrust of the governor's legislation, rather than the alternative.
But Almand said he doesn't think his co-patronage prevents his backing an alternative plan.
by CNB