SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 71

(By Senators Sprouse and Rowe)


Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the increase in juvenile crime in West Virginia, the possible methods to prevent or deter juvenile crime, the projected future costs associated with juvenile crime and any alternative sentences to serving time in correctional facilities.

Whereas, The population in juvenile detention centers has increased by an average of 12.6 percent per year from 1997 to 2002 and the average length-of-stay for juveniles committed to juvenile dentention centers in 2001 was 9.7 months; and
Whereas, The majority of juveniles committed to juvenile detention centers in 2001 were charged with only one offense, yet 43 percent of those cases involved repeat offenders; and
Whereas, If current trends continue unchanged, the forecasted juvenile detention center population will grow 26 percent by the end of 2013; therefore, be it
 Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
 That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the increase in juvenile crime in West Virginia, the possible methods to prevent or deter juvenile crime, the projected future costs associated with juvenile crime and any alternative sentences to serving time in correctional facilities; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2005, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.