by Kerry Dougherty

Just what Virginia doesn’t need: Violent predators – murderers and rapists – vomited back into society from prison just because they’re old. 

But that’s what we get in Virginia, thanks to a wrinkle in the law that allows the parole board to spring inmates once they get a few gray hairs.

Let’s back up. 

Many Virginians foolishly believe they live in a no-parole commonwealth. 

After all, in 1994 Gov. George Allen brought us “Truth in Sentencing,” a law that guarantees that every convict would serve almost every single day of his or her prison sentence. That measure was designed to slam shut the revolving doors on Virginia prisons.

The parole board was left to hold hearings for inmates convicted prior to February 1, 1995 – of which there are very few – and those eligible for geriatric parole. That is, an inmate who’s at least 65 years old with 5 years served, or 60 with 10 years served. 

These incarcerated senior citizens can be considered annually by the parole board for release.

Looks like there are lots of wrinkled convicts. According to the Department of Corrections, there are approximately 3,171 inmates aged 65 and older. And that number just keeps on growing.

Lest you think these geezers are in the big house for passing bad checks, selling weed or knocking off liquor stores, they aren’t.

DOC website shows that 90% of those 65 and older are in prison for violent felonies. A full 29 percent of those are in for rape of sexual attacks.

They should never be released. Even when they’re in hospital beds hooked up to tubes and monitors. Let ‘em die where they belong: in prison. Continue reading.