THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, September 27, 1994 TAG: 9409270008
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 38 lines
Gov. George Allen's Proposal X would be a deplorable complement to existing post-incarceration punishment policies that deny former offenders their civil rights and would deceive the public into thinking it is the ultimate solution to a much more complex problem.
The simplicity of no parole and longer sentences does not address the real causes of crime in society. It merely provides the public a false sense of security and allows our legislators to play politics instead of formulating workable alternatives.
As the governor pursues the business of castigation instead of reason, I would like to note that punishment for offenders does not end after release from incarceration. Virginia law disallows ex-felons the right to vote, hold public office or serve on a jury. Employment opportunities in the city, state and private sectors often are denied long after an individual has been released and has attempted to re-establish himself into society. Certain housing programs are also refused for the same reasons.
Maximum punishment for present and ex-offenders does not necessarily make our streets any safer. If anything, it continues to widen the gap between an ever-growing prison population and the rest of our community. I do agree that urgent action must be taken to reduce this infection of crime and violence, but Proposal X is not the answer.
Our representatives must reject the governor's plan for the sake of our financial and moral future.
JOHN MACAUDA
Virginia Beach, Sept. 16, 1994 by CNB