THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 10, 1994 TAG: 9407080015
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
Among the self-evident truths is this one: Predators cannot prey upon society while they are imprisoned. Poll after poll shows that citizens want more criminals behind bars, and for longer periods. It is not hard to see why: Higher imprisonment rates mean a safer society.
Prisons cost a pretty penny. Virginians spent $400 million for corrections in fiscal 1992-93, $296 million of it to operate 43 correctional facilities. The total U.S. corrections bill was $24.9 billion.
And it's not that we aren't getting anything for our money: Virginia's prison population, staff writer Sarah Huntley reported Monday, more than doubled from 10,093 in 1983 to 22,870 in 1993 while the national inmate population doubled to 948,881.
In spite of this level of spending and incarceration, however, peoples' lives and property are not even tolerably safe. The 1960 U.S. rate of property, serious and violent offenses was 190 crimes per 100,000 population. In 1970, 400 per 100,000. Now it's 600.
Part of the explanation might be that, even though prison populations have exploded, the percentage of criminals landing behind bars compared with the number of crimes they commit has been shrinking over time.
According to a study by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), Virginia in 1960 locked up 177 inmates for every 1,000 crimes committed. By 1980, however, that number had fallen to 33 per 1,000. Even with the soaring prison population, the current rates are not even up to one-half of the 1960 levels.
No wonder the public believes the criminal-justice system has failed them. Crime is the leading domestic political issue. Voters liked George Allen's promise to end parole better than Mary Sue Terry's ideas for stricter gun control. George Allen is governor.
More prisons are an essential component of Virginia's - indeed, the nation's - strategy to promote public safety. Yes, prisons are expensive (in part to prevent judges from ordering inmates released early because of overcrowding). But letting predators roam freely is costlier.
By at least one calculation, each murder costs society $2.4 million, for police, prosecutors, defense lawyers, courts, incarceration, lost earnings. . the states with the highest incarceration rates also had the largest decreases in their crime rates.
More records seem destined to be set. Richmond - among the most murderous of U.S. cities - counted 78 homicides in the first six months of 1994, topping the 1992 first-half record of 66. The average age of Richmond's murder suspects is slightly over 20.
Before Mr. Allen became governor, Virginia projected construction of nine more prisons by year 2002. Cost: $385 million. Mr. Allen's no-parole plan may require more than nine.
If so, then so be it. More prisons are not money wasted. Each imprisoned murderer, robber, rapist, burglar, arsonist, mobster or vandal is one less menace to the life, liberty and peace of mind of honest citizens. Some politicians complain endlessly about the costs of incarceration. Perhaps they should start considering the costs of not controlling crime. by CNB