THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 15, 1994 TAG: 9409150481
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
Gov. George Allen's plan to abolish parole is an unaffordable and ineffective crime-control measure that wrongfully ignores prevention and rehabilitation, a group of religious leaders said Wednesday.
``Criminal justice reform must aim at preventing crime in the first place, not simply at punishing criminals after the fact,'' said a statement signed by 22 pastors, rabbis, bishops and other church officials.
An organization of defense attorneys and the American Civil Liberties Union also criticized Allen's plan as a ``seriously flawed'' quick fix for a complicated problem.
In another development, Attorney General James S. Gilmore III said a proposal by Del. Franklin P. Hall, D-Richmond, to abolish parole for violent criminals already in prison is unconstitutional. Allen's plan would end parole only for crimes committed after Jan. 1.
``Since 1798 the Supreme Court of the United States has made it clear that laws attempting to increase punishment for past criminal acts are unconstitutional,'' said Gilmore, a Republican. ``For almost 200 years that rule has been fundamentally unchanged.''
Hall had requested an attorney general's opinion on his proposal, which has been embraced by Democratic Lt. Gov. Donald S. Beyer Jr.
The clergymen shared their views with Allen and Richard Cullen, head of his parole abolition commission, in a private meeting before releasing a statement denouncing the proposal.
``The major problem with the proposal of the governor's commission is that it will squander precious resources on ineffective approaches that do not begin to prevent crime and protect public safety,'' the statement said.
The General Assembly will consider Allen's plan next week. He wants to sell surplus state property and borrow money to build 27 new prisons over the next 10 years. The projected cost: $1 billion.
The religious officials urged legislators to address ``the root causes'' of violent crime - including poverty, unemployment and drugs - and boost rehabilitation efforts.
``Our outreach with those who commit criminal acts suggests that many of these people are capable of conversion. . . . To base reform on abolition of parole and harsher sentences does not address the fundamental need to assist criminals in turning their lives around,'' the clergymen said.
They said the plan's ``exorbitant cost will mortgage our children's future and rob us of the resources needed to address the underlying causes of crime.''
Similar complaints have been raised by some Democratic legislators, including members of the black caucus, and the state chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Allen has argued that most crimes are committed by a few repeat offenders, so keeping those criminals locked up longer prevents crime.
He also has said education, economic development and welfare reform are important parts of an overall crime prevention strategy, but those initiatives take time.
The special session that begins Monday, Allen has said, must be limited to abolishing parole and imposing ``truth in sentencing.''
While acknowledging that the price is steep, Allen has claimed the savings for crime victims would be even greater.
KEYWORDS: PAROLE VIRGINIA SERIES GENERAL ASSEMBLY SPECIAL
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