Make all state inmates regardless of sex members of the state convict road force

HB 2438 amends West Virginia law to remove the gender restriction in the state convict road force program, making all state inmates - regardless of sex - eligible to work on state road construction and maintenance projects. The bill changes existing law (§17-5-1) that previously limited eligibility to "all male persons convicted of a felony" by removing that language. This directly affects all incarcerated individuals serving felony sentences who may be assigned to road work under the supervision of the state Highway Commissioner. The key provision updates the statutory language to ensure gender-neutral eligibility for this labor program.