Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, October 14, 1994 TAG: 9410140105
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
The General Assembly approved the bill during a special session last month but decided not to tackle the funding issue until the 1995 regular session.
Allen has proposed paying for 27 new prisons by selling surplus state property and issuing two types of bonds, one of which requires voter approval. He also favors privatization of some prisons.
But the Republican governor, who built his campaign last year on a promise to abolish parole, said he has not figured out how much money should come from each source. He said he will have a recommendation before the assembly convenes in January.
``There are myriad ways of doing it,'' Allen said. ``We will try to work in a bipartisan manner.''
He repeated his pledge not to seek a tax increase. He said prison spending will account for 2 percent of the general fund budget, and coming up with the money is ``just a matter of setting priorities.''
Allen said he would not object to using general obligation bonds, which require voter approval, for some of the financing. He said the matter should be taken up in the November 1995 general election, not in a special election, because ``I want maximum participation.'' Voter turnout for special elections usually is light.
However, Allen said about $300 million in prison construction cannot wait for voter approval.
``By taking violent predators off the street and keeping them off, we will begin to reclaim our communities from crime,'' Allen said. ``We will create an environment where hope can be restored, where business and enterprise and jobs can return, where schools can again be places of learning, and where neighborhoods can be places for families rather than felons.''
The bill abolishes parole for crimes committed on or after Jan. 1. It recommends that judges increase the time served by repeat violent criminals by up to 500 percent and at least double the terms for violent first-time offenders.
Time off for good behavior also will be sharply reduced. Inmates who participate in work or education programs can earn a maximum 15 percent sentence reduction.
Critics of Allen's plan have said it will not significantly reduce crime and will create prison management problems by eroding inmates' incentive to behave.
Secretary of Public Safety Jerry Kilgore said he doesn't foresee major problems.
``Prisoners are going to enter the system knowing parole is abolished,'' he said. ``They will know that to get 15 percent off, they have to act right. They'll do what they can to get out early.''
by CNB