When Gov. Allen(R) abolished parole in 1994, it was for violent offenders. Since then, during the past 20 years inmates have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for non-violent crimes. There are many first time "probation" violators serving 10 - 20 years for non-violent violations. Fact: When released from prison on a "good behavior" probation stat, an inmate can be taken back to prison for something as simple as recieving a speeding ticket. Virginia houses over 30,000 inmates at a cost of $27,500 per year per inmate and a total of $833 million annually. This does not include the non-deductible expenses placed on family member which can add up to a upward of $4,000- $7,000 easy per year.
Currently, Inmates must serve at least 85 percent of their sentences before they can be released for good behavior. To add insult to injury “By removing the opportunity for parole, the commonwealth has also compounded the disproportionate impact that our criminal justice system has on people of color,” said ACLU executive director Claire Guthrie Gastañaga to the Washington Post. By reinstating parole inmates would have a chance to have a second chance at life with family, friends and loved ones. No one should have their freedom taken 20-30 years, for non-violent mistakes in life.
