The Senate convened today to pass Senate Bill 371 , relating to prison reform.
Currently, West Virginia has one of the fastest growing prison populations in the United States with a rate that is three times higher than the national average. This bill will reduce the overcrowding problem by requiring supervision of released criminals, focusing resources on high-risk and violent offenders, and funding drug rehabilitation programs in prisons. This reform will help to correct this program without compromising the safety of West Virginia citizens.
Legislators worked with the Council of State Governments during interim meetings to study the problems with the West Virginia prison system and to find solutions. Many of the changes this bill makes have been enforced in other states with prison overcrowding problems across the country and have been highly effective. The bill has been reported to the House.
Other business addressed today includes the advancement of three bills to third reading and the presentation of three Senate Resolutions.
Those recognized in the resolutions include the Toyota Plant in Buffalo, W.Va., the WV Campus Contact Advisory Board, and Maggie Drazba, a stand-out WV Prep School distance runner from St. Marys High School.
The following committees will meet today:
The Committee on Education will meet today at 2:00 p.m. in 451M.
The Committee on Finance will meet today at 3:00 p.m. in 451M.
The Committee on Judiciary will meet today at 3:00 p.m. in 208W.
The following committees will meet tomorrow:
The Committee on Roads and Transportation will meet tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. in 451M.
The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. in the Senate Chamber.
