Council of Churches public discussion of report

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A governor's commission submitted 14 short- and long-term recommendations to alleviate overcrowding in state prisons on Wednesday.

Those recommendations range from expanding community corrections options for non-violent offenders to the ultimate long-term option: Building a new 1,200-cell medium security prison, at a cost of as much as $200 million.

Gov. Joe Manchin created the Governor's Commission on Prison Overcrowding by executive order in January, giving the 21-member panel a July 1 deadline to come up with ways to alleviate the state's prison overcrowding problems.

Manchin spokesman Matt Turner said Wednesday the governor had no immediate comment on the report.

"He just got it today, so he won't have any specific comments until he's had a chance to review it," Turner said. 

Currently, the state Division of Corrections has more than 6,300 inmates, with about 1,300 housed in regional jails because state facilities are at capacity.

At current rates of incarceration, the report notes, the inmate population will top 8,500 in 2012 and exceed 10,300 in 2017.

"What is clear to all is that urgent action is needed," the report concludes, adding, "The commission's vision is clear. It believes that with full implementation (of the recommendations), we can avoid building another 3,000-bed prison by the year 2017."

The panel, headed by Military Affairs and Public Safety Secretary Jim Spears, focuses on three broad strategies to reduce the prison population:

| Alternative sentencing for low-risk felons, emphasizing community corrections options.

The report notes that in 2006, 76 percent of all new inmates had been sentenced for non-violent offenses. It estimates that if 500 of those inmates could be diverted into community corrections programs each year, the cost savings to the state would exceed $14 million.

Council of Churches public discussion of report

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A governor's commission submitted 14 short- and long-term recommendations to alleviate overcrowding in state prisons on Wednesday.

Those recommendations range from expanding community corrections options for non-violent offenders to the ultimate long-term option: Building a new 1,200-cell medium security prison, at a cost of as much as $200 million.

Gov. Joe Manchin created the Governor's Commission on Prison Overcrowding by executive order in January, giving the 21-member panel a July 1 deadline to come up with ways to alleviate the state's prison overcrowding problems.

Manchin spokesman Matt Turner said Wednesday the governor had no immediate comment on the report.

"He just got it today, so he won't have any specific comments until he's had a chance to review it," Turner said. 

Currently, the state Division of Corrections has more than 6,300 inmates, with about 1,300 housed in regional jails because state facilities are at capacity.

At current rates of incarceration, the report notes, the inmate population will top 8,500 in 2012 and exceed 10,300 in 2017.

"What is clear to all is that urgent action is needed," the report concludes, adding, "The commission's vision is clear. It believes that with full implementation (of the recommendations), we can avoid building another 3,000-bed prison by the year 2017."

The panel, headed by Military Affairs and Public Safety Secretary Jim Spears, focuses on three broad strategies to reduce the prison population:

| Alternative sentencing for low-risk felons, emphasizing community corrections options.

The report notes that in 2006, 76 percent of all new inmates had been sentenced for non-violent offenses. It estimates that if 500 of those inmates could be diverted into community corrections programs each year, the cost savings to the state would exceed $14 million.

It also recommends expanding the division's capacities to treat inmates for substance abuse and for mental illnesses.

The commission found that 85 percent of all inmates have drug and/or alcohol abuse problems, while 717 inmates have been diagnosed with mental disorders including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or psychotic disorder.

| Shortening lengths of sentences, with an emphasis on rehabilitation rather than punishment.

The commission recommends expanding probation and parole options for non-violent offenders, including adopting "presumptive parole" for offenders with no disciplinary infractions upon completion of recommended treatment plans.

The report notes that, since 1991, the Legislature has passed a total of 75 laws increasing prison sentences for various crimes, including imposing a number of "mandatory minimum" sentences where inmates are ineligible for parole.

| Providing additional inmate housing.

In additional to the ultimate recommendation to construct a new medium-security prison, the commission recommends immediate construction of a proposed 300-bed addition at the St. Mary's Correctional Complex, and acquisition of at least four additional 80-bed Work Release Centers around the state.

It also recommends looking into alternative facilities for special offender populations, in particular, for the growing population of elderly inmates.

Currently, more than 250 inmates are older than 60, including 35 who are 70 or older. Additionally, the report notes, there are 373 inmates serving life with mercy, and 261 offenders serving life without mercy.

Reach Phil Kabler at ph...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1220.