THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 21, 1994 TAG: 9409210006
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 38 lines
Some individuals opposed to Gov. George Allen's plan to abolish parole and restructure sentencing in Virginia have criticized the proposal as too costly to taxpayers and too burdensome on Virginia's correctional facilities.
While the governor's proposal will create new demands on resources, these demands may be met through the more efficient use of existing resources and a good bit of innovation. In short, abolishing parole will allow Virginia to control rising crime rates at minimal cost without overloading prison capacity.
Over the next 10 years, implementing the governor's parole-abolition plan will cost $200 million to $225 million above the projected cost of maintaining the current system without any of the proposed changes in parole policy - changes that will result in a more effective criminal-justice system and a safer Virginia.
Virginia can begin using double-celling, double-bunking and work camps for non-violent offenders to accommodate immediate increases in the prison population resulting from parole abolition. In fact, double-celling and double-bunking will create 2,100 new beds for violent offenders.
Such strategies, in conjunction with new prison construction, will provide adequate space for the violent repeat offenders responsible for so many crimes in Virginia.
In considering Gov. Allen's proposal, the General Assembly should assess the limited monetary cost of doing something about crime against the immeasurable cost in lives and pain of continuing to do nothing.
JOE GUARINO
Newport News, Sept. 8, 1994 by CNB