ENGROSSED
Senate Bill No. 98
(By Senators Wooton, Ball, Dawson, Dittmar,
Kessler,
McCabe,
Minard, Redd, Ross and Snyder)
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[Originating in the Committee on the Judiciary;
reported January 14, 2000.]
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A BILL to repeal section one, article thirteen, chapter sixty-two
of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred
thirty-one, as amended; and to amend article one, chapter
twenty-five of said code by adding thereto a new section,
designated section one-a, relating to clarifying the
purpose of the division of corrections.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That section one, article thirteen, chapter sixty-two of the
code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as
amended, be repealed; and that article one, chapter twenty-five
of said code be amended by adding thereto a new section,
designated section one-a, to read as follows:
ARTICLE 1. ORGANIZATION, INSTITUTIONS AND CORRECTIONS
MANAGEMENT.
§25-1-1a. Purpose and legislative intent.
(a) The primary purpose of the division of corrections is to
enhance public safety by providing for the incarceration and care
of convicted offenders who have been sentenced by courts of
proper jurisdiction to serve terms of incarceration. It is the
intent of the Legislature:
(1) That persons committed to correctional institutions of
the state for when release is available for crimes be afforded
appropriate treatment to reestablish their ability to live
peaceably, consistent with the protection of the community;
(2) That persons committed to correctional institutions of
the state be released at the earliest possible date, consistent
with public safety;
(3) To establish a just, humane and efficient corrections
program; and
(4) To avoid duplication and waste of effort and money on
the part of public and private agencies.
(b) This section shall be construed in favor of public
safety.