PRISON OVERCROWDING Report Says Parole And Probation Violations Leading To Prison Overcrowding
Reported by: Bob Aaron
Videographer: Bob Aaron
Web Producer: Jeff Morris
Reported: Sep. 20, 2012 4:13 PM EDT
Updated: Sep. 20, 2012 5:34 PM EDT
EYEWITNESS ONLINE WEBCAST VIDEO C L I C K T O P L A Y
Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
A new study shows an alarming growth in parole and probation violations is responsible for nearly half of West Virginia’s prison overcrowding problems from 2005 until last year.
Parole and probation revocations increased by 47 percent compared to only a 20 percent jump in new prisoners. The five-year cost of revocations to the state was $168 million.
A preliminary report from the Justice Reinvestment Initiative set up by the governor shows probation and parole officers are wasting time on people with a low risk of reoffending.
The study shows the right people are not receiving the right supervision after release due to sentencing and parole policies. Experts helping a blue ribbon panel of state and county officials say West Virginia needs to do a better job of sorting inmates. Discussion Thursday also focused on drug abuse as a huge part of the problem.
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Bob Aaron
