Creating the West Virginia Justice Reinvestment Taskforce

HCR 97 establishes the West Virginia Justice Reinvestment Taskforce to address challenges in the state's criminal justice system, including prison backlogs, high jail mortality rates, aging inmate populations, and behavioral health needs. The 21-member taskforce - comprising state officials, legislators, judges, community stakeholders (including formerly incarcerated individuals), and representatives from law enforcement and treatment programs - will analyze justice system data and develop policy recommendations on bail, sentencing, supervision, corrections programming, and behavioral health services. The taskforce must provide initial findings by December 2025, with ongoing reports to the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker, using technical assistance from the Council of State Governments Justice Center. This resolution directly affects state agencies, local governments, and justice system participants by aiming to improve public safety, reduce costs, and strengthen community health outcomes.