Workgroup Will Address Jail Overcrowding

West Virginia lawmakers aim to form a workgroup to help address overcrowding in the state’s regional jail system. Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority Committee Co-Chair David Kelly made the announcement during a legislative interim committee meeting in Morgantown. The Charleston Gazette-Mail reported hopes are that the workgroup could convene by September. As of Tuesday, there were 5,320 people incarcerated in 10 regional jails that are equipped to hold 4,265, according to state data. The workgroup will also look at alleviating some of the cost burden counties have to incarcerate inmates in the jail system.