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.