Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 15, 1994 TAG: 9405210001
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: 3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Allen, whose top campaign promise last fall was to abolish ``the liberal, lenient parole system,'' replaced the entire five-member Parole Board. New members were sworn in Thursday.
``It's not my job to dictate to these individuals,'' Allen said at the swearing-in ceremony. ``I trust their decisions.''
But he said he expects them to be stricter than their predecessors - and John Metzger of Roanoke, the board chairman, said the governor won't be disappointed.
``I've spent a good part of my adult life putting bad guys, criminals, in prison, and I won't be inclined to let them out at the first possible opportunity,'' said Metzger, a U.S. marshal and former undercover police officer.
Allen also fulfilled a campaign pledge to appoint a crime victim to the board: Linda Pitman of Chesapeake, a rape survivor and victim-rights advocate.
``I would like to bring a perspective that the other board members don't have,'' Pitman said.
She said victims and their relatives might have more voice in parole deliberations because of her presence on the board.
Other new board members are Joseph Lewis of Richmond, regional manager for the Department of Corrections; Sandra Combs of Yorktown, a York County School Board member and Air Force veteran; and Winnie Richardson-Dixon of Richmond, an investigator for the Drug Enforcement Administration.
``They were the best choices for Virginia,'' Allen said. ``The people want me to bring in those who share my philosophy.''
Allen has scheduled a special legislative session for Sept. 19 to consider his proposal to abolish parole and restructure sentences.
But even if parole is abolished, there will be plenty of work for the new Parole Board, because inmates sentenced before the new law takes effect will remain eligible for early release.
by CNB