Informed Opinions on Today’s Topics : Governor Calls for Life Terms in Serial Arson

Under current state law, a person convicted of arson can be sentenced to a maximum of eight years in prison if the fire burns an inhabited structure and nine years if it causes serious bodily injury. If an intentionally set blaze results in death, the arsonist may also be prosecuted for homicide, which carries stiffer penalties. Following the recent Calabasas-Malibu fire, which destroyed hundreds of structures and killed three people, Gov. Pete Wilson announced he would urge state lawmakers to draft new legislation increasing the punishment for repeat arsonists to life in prison.

Should serial arsonists be imprisoned for life?

Pete Wilson, governor of California:

“As far as I’m concerned, justice demands nothing short of life in prison for the individuals whose wanton acts result in multiple injuries, whether to the public or to firefighters and other public safety personnel, or in massive property damage. . . . We must take all necessary steps to deter and punish these horrendous acts of destruction.”

Dr. Lester Zackler, psychiatrist with Glendale Adventist Medical Center:

“The conditions are different in each case. The individuals who have an obsessive preoccupation with fire and a compulsion to start them do have a psychological disorder. They require treatment and can be rehabilitated. The professional arsonist who does it for profit is a criminal and deserves to be treated as such. . . . In a non-discriminatory fashion, making it a life sentence overlooks the wide diversity of fire starters.”

Paula Boland, Republican assemblywoman from Granada Hills:

“In many cases we’re dealing with professional arsonists--individuals who get their kicks by destroying other people’s lives and property. The present penalty for arson is terribly inadequate. Those who cause massive destruction should burn in hell, but life imprisonment is the next best thing.”

Richard Katz, Democratic assemblyman from Sylmar, who has authored a bill that would fund an arson information network and database:

“I agree with the governor that we ought to be locking up repeat arsonists for a long time. Locking them up is only good if you catch them. (My bill) provides the other piece of the puzzle. . . . Unfortunately, too many things only get resolved when there’s a crisis or a tragedy. It takes something like the fires to point out deficiencies in those laws. I’m a believer in keeping them behind bars as long as we can.”

Bob Mulholland, political director for the California Democratic Party:

“Anyone who commits a violent crime should be put away for life. (A life sentence) does stop that person. . . . We’ve got to get violent, serial criminals off our streets. If you take a violent criminal (and put them in prison), that will reduce the chances of them committing a (future) act. The deterrent doesn’t seem to be working. . . . There are a lot of violent criminals in America and California.”

Dr. Raymond Anderson, Van Nuys-based psychologist:

“It doesn’t address the problem of the mentally ill. It’s kind of a one-size-fits-all prescription. . . . There are too many people in prisons already. There are vast numbers of people who don’t pose a threat to the community. . . . I’m certainly not opposed to putting people in prison if that’s all that can be done. There are people who commit arson who can be treated, but not in the community, in a residential care facility.”