Friday, March 12, 2010
W. Va. Considers Early Prison Release
WEST VIRGINIA....
In an effort to ease overcrowding in the state's prisons, Governor Joe Manchin requested Senate Bill 218 which would make some nonviolent inmates in West Virginia eligible for early parole. Thursday the House of Delegates passed the measure by a vote of 84-14. The bill, which passed the Senate last month, could affect up to 700 current inmates, but those whose crimes involve children or violence wouldn't qualify. Inmates seeking early parole would undergo screening to determine their risk to the community, and only offenders who haven't broken prison rules for at least 120 days would be eligible. Members of the House Judiciary Committee added a provision to ensure that inmates serving consecutive sentences for drug felonies are ineligible for accelerated parole.
In an effort to ease overcrowding in the state's prisons, Governor Joe Manchin requested Senate Bill 218 which would make some nonviolent inmates in West Virginia eligible for early parole. Thursday the House of Delegates passed the measure by a vote of 84-14. The bill, which passed the Senate last month, could affect up to 700 current inmates, but those whose crimes involve children or violence wouldn't qualify. Inmates seeking early parole would undergo screening to determine their risk to the community, and only offenders who haven't broken prison rules for at least 120 days would be eligible. Members of the House Judiciary Committee added a provision to ensure that inmates serving consecutive sentences for drug felonies are ineligible for accelerated parole.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 12:39 PM 
