WV HCR97

Creates a 21-member West Virginia Justice Reinvestment Task Force to analyze the adult justice system and develop recommendations on bail, pretrial services, sentencing, supervision practices, correctional programming, behavioral health, reentry supports, and victim services

Task force membership includes the Governor, Attorney General, Supreme Court Administrative Director, corrections officials, parole board chair, four legislators, two judges, and nine governor-appointed members representing law enforcement, prosecutors, defense attorneys, formerly incarcerated individuals, and treatment providers

Addresses critical state challenges including 18% of prison-sentenced individuals housed in regional jails as backlog (FY 2023), the nation's highest jail mortality rate (281 deaths per 100,000 in 2019), and 25% of prisoners aged 50 or older

Council of State Governments Justice Center will provide technical assistance and case-level data analysis of jail, supervision, and prison populations

Task force must submit initial findings and recommendations to the Governor by December 2025, with ongoing reports as necessary until the Governor orders cessation