W.Va. has second fastest growing prison population

Approximately 6,700 prisoners are sentenced to the custody of the West Virginia Division of Corrections, but there’s room for only 5100

February 14, 2011 04:17 AM

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The situation only gets worse for West Virginia’s 14 correctional facilities and 10 regional jails.

West Virginia has the second fastest growing prison population in the nation quadrupling over the last 20 years.

Approximately 6,700 prisoners are sentenced to the custody of the West Virginia Division of Corrections, but there’s room for only 5100. Close to 1600 inmates have been sent to regional jails.

“The regional jails have put bunk beds and bunks within their cells in their facilities to expand their capacity beyond its original design,” said Jim Rubenstein, Commissioner of the West Virginia Division of Corrections. “There really is no more room at the Inn.”