Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 5, 1994 TAG: 9404050039
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MICHAEL STOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"I've spent a good part of my life putting criminals behind bars, and I'm not inclined to be letting people out at the first possible moment some law might say they can get out," John Metzger III said.
Gov. George Allen replaced the entire five-member Parole Board on Friday when he appointed Metzger to his new post.
The appointment couldn't have come at a better time for Metzger, who is finishing a temporary term as U.S. marshal for the Metzger Western District of Virginia in Roanoke.
He plans to resign from that post next week and move to Richmond to start his $76,000-a-year position in the Allen administration.
In an interview Monday, Metzger stressed that his comments about strict parole standards weren't meant as a slap at the outgoing board headed by Clarence L. Jackson Jr.
"I'm certainly not going to level blame," Metzger said. "I'm not I've spent a good part of my life putting criminals behind bars, and I'm not inclined to be letting people out at the first possible moment. John Metzger saying they messed up, and I'm not say that they didn't."
During his campaign last fall, Allen repeatedly promised to abolish parole. That's a position that Metzger backs strongly, but one he thinks many people misunderstand.
"A lot of people think we're going to go in there next week and revoke everyone's right to parole," Metzger said. "That's just not the way it's going to be. I just can't walk in and say, `No one gets out.' "
A special General Assembly session to deal with the parole issue is expected to be called in September. But even if the governor is able to push through legislation eliminating parole, it would be applied only to criminals sentenced after the new law is enacted.
The nearly 20,000 prisoners already in the state correctional system still would be eligible for parole, Metzger said.
"There will probably be two or three more board chairmen after me," he said.
Metzger said it won't be easy heading up an entirely new Parole Board and that's he got a lot to learn about the state parole system.
"It's fair to say there will be some awkward moments," he said. "I've got a good bit of homework to do."
An avid Republican, Metzger has served as special assistant to Rep. Thomas Bliley, R-Richmond, and is the former organization director of the Virginia Republican Party.
Before moving to Virginia in 1985, Metzger worked as a police officer and a deputy sheriff in Alliance, Ohio, for 11 years.
Metzger, who also worked as a member of Allen's transition team, should fit in well with the new governor's administration, which has earned a down-home reputation. A half-empty pouch of chewing tobacco was lying on Metzger's desk on the second floor of the Poff Federal Building on Monday. It's a habit shared by Allen - with one subtle difference.
"He dips and I chew," Metzger said. "Boy, I should have worn my cowboy boots today."
by CNB