THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 24, 1995 TAG: 9502240008
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 29 lines
Virginians should start to feel safer. As of Jan. 1, parole was abolished and violent criminals will start serving longer periods for their crimes against the public.
The era of coddling prisoners and letting them walk away from their crimes after serving a fraction of their sentences is over. We need to incarcerate criminals and let them suffer the consequences of their actions. They must be held responsible. This is one of the most basic functions of government: to protect the public and keep law and order.
Violent predators, who create fear in the community and disregard the rights of others, must be punished accordingly. Currently, the national time-served average for convicted murderers is 43 percent of their prison terms.
It's time they get what they deserve.
GARY H. WYSE
Suffolk, Feb. 15, 1995 by CNB