HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 27

(By Delegates Claypole, Coleman and Williams)




Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to make a study of the potential use of wilderness camps in sentencing and treatment of juvenile offenders.

Whereas, The confinement in traditional correctional facilities may not be as beneficial in reducing recidivism and rehabilitating juvenile offenders as more creative and modern methods addressing juvenile offenders; and
Whereas, The use of wilderness camps in rehabilitating juvenile offenders while still providing a level of punishment and protection for the public may reduce the costs imposed on the taxpayers in addressing juvenile offenders; and
Whereas, The states of Maryland and Virginia use wilderness camps in sentencing and treating juvenile offenders; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to review, examine and study the possibility of West Virginia using a system of wilderness camps in sentencing and treating juvenile offenders and to make recommendations to the Legislature regarding the same; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 1999, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.