CHARLESTON —
Hoping to ease the congestion in West Virginia’s regional jail system and save counties some money, the Senate agreed Tuesday to make more inmates eligible for parole with good-time credits.
The idea is to make anyone serving a term in one of the 10 regional jails to have good time accredited to his account after serving six months.
Existing practice only allows this for inmates sentenced to six months plus.
Sen. Bill Laird, D-Fayette, the chief sponsor, said earlier that a recent survey showed 316 inmates might have gone for early release but were sentenced to the flat six months and weren’t eligible for a number of treatment programs.
“They’re good, solid treatment programs,” said Laird, a four-term sheriff in Fayette County.
“It’s just a way to encourage people to enroll and participate in these programs.”
Inmates could undergo courses in anger management, all forms of substance abuse, life skills and parenting.
If more inmates are thus eligible, Laird said counties could save an estimated $435,000 annually in regional jail bills.
Judiciary Chairman Corey Palumbo, D-Kanawha, explained to Sen. Clark Barnes, R-Randolph, that the good time clause applies to violent and non-violent offenders alike.
“It makes no such distinction,” he said.
Two other bills involving criminal justice cleared the upper chamber, likewise by 34-0 tallies.
Palumbo explained that SB376 clarifies that the venue in personal safety orders for stalking and harassment are limited to the counties in which such criminal acts occur.
And, the chamber also approved SB387, which, as explained by Palumbo, makes it clear that family court judges are allowed to obtain criminal background investigations when deemed appropriate.
Up for votes today are two other measures involving criminal justice, both sponsored by Laird.
One would impose a three-tiered system of penalties on anyone who interferes or prevents someone from calling for emergency assistance, such as a law enforcement officer, a fire department or medical personnel.
Under Laird’s proposal, SB371, all three levels are considered misdemeanors, but the fines and jail terms would be graduated.
A first offense exposes the guilty to a fine ranging from $250 to $2,000, and jail term of one day to one year. The second crime can bring a jail term of three days to one year, and fines between $500 and $3,000. Third offenses with 10 years of the others could expose the violator to six months to a year in jail and a fine from $500 to $4,000.
Laird’s other measure, SB200, calls for the State Police superintendent and Governor’s Committee on Crime, Delinquency and Corrections to create educational materials and conduct training sessions.
The intent of the bill is to devise “a more detailed and successful eyewitness identification program.”
Local News
March 13, 2013
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