Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, October 14, 1995                   TAG: 9510160045
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Short

ALLEN, AT CRIME SUMMIT, TAKES CREDIT FOR SAFER VA.

Speaking at his crime summit one year after he signed legislation abolishing parole - and one day after he boasted of the law's success - Allen said violent crime during his first 19 months in office decreased 6 percent from the previous 19 months.

He said a Virginia State Police analysis found that robberies decreased by 8 percent, rapes by 13 percent.

``Violent thugs are getting the message: Virginia is not the place to earn a living as a criminal predator, preying on innocent, law-abiding citizens,'' Allen said.

He attributed the decline in violent crime to the longer sentences criminals are serving because of his no-parole and truth-in-sentencing initiatives.

Citing figures from the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission, Allen said first-degree murderers now can expect to serve an average of 32 years in prison. In 1993, the average was 10 years.

Average sentences have gone from 4.4 years to nearly 12 years for rapists, and from 4 years to 8 years for armed robbers, he said.

``This incapacitation of violent criminals is preventing crime and saving lives,'' he said. ``The attackers are safely behind bars.''

- Associated Press