Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, September 20, 1994 TAG: 9410170016
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: PLEASANT C. SHIELDS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Some of this information is misleading and incorrect. I find it difficult to believe that our governor would not have had more accurate research done in this area.
Parole in Virginia had its beginnings in the early '40s. One factor leading to the development of a probation and parole system related to the extremely high rate of requests to governors for executive clemency. This and other factors led to the development of a probation and parole system with a professional staff to aid and guide those persons released before sentence completion. Untold millions of dollars, and likewise countless numbers of families, have been saved as a result.
Parole used on a selective basis can and does work well for the commonwealth. Nationwide, parole recently has been misused in an effort to eliminate prison overcrowding. In effect, parole has been prostituted in an effort to remedy the problem of overcrowding.
Parole should have a vital place in the criminal-justice system. If applied properly, it provides a reward for change and improvement in behavior, and it has the advantage of encouraging a system of voluntary compliance within our correctional institutions. To confine people without hope is to operate a system with limited control mechanisms
There are several myths being put forth on the issue of our parole system. The facts are:
All inmates are not released simply because they are eligible for parole; some are never released, eligibility for parole notwithstanding.
Everyone released on parole does not fail. A little research will show that by far a majority of those released to parole complete it satisfactorily. (I, personally, know of many such successes during my 36-year career.)
The implication that everyone released on parole commits a violent crime is ridiculous.
No one can equate human life in dollars, yet neither can we buy total security in life. One report indicates 6 percent of parolees commit serious crimes. Are we willing to lock up the other 94 percent? How much are we really willing to pay of our children's money in an effort to buy total security?
"Locking them up and throwing away the key" looks at only a small part of the total problem, and will not work to stop the spread of crime in our society. It will, however, financially burden future generations of taxpayers with bond debt.
No one complains about the confinement of serious and repeat violent offenders. However, statistics clearly reflect that some people do change, and it is difficult if not unfair to categorize youthful and all first-time offenders with others.
In America, the general belief is that people can change for the better. If we no longer believe that to be true, then perhaps the synagogues, cathedrals and churches might well close their doors.
It occurs to me that we are about to throw the baby out with the bath water. Parole obviously needs revision, new direction - but abolition I seriously doubt.
Whatever we do, I would hope we do it honestly, openly and aboveboard with correct factual data, not campaign rhetoric offering expensive quick fixes.
Pleasant C. Shields of Richmond is a former chairman of the Virginia Parole Board.
by CNB