FISCAL NOTE



FUND(S):



Sources of Revenue:

General Fund

Legislation creates:

Neither Program nor Fund



Fiscal Note Summary


Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.


The West Virginia Division of Corrections (WVDOC)currently has no method to quantify the number of sex offenders, currently incarcerated, whose victims were minor children. However, as of June 30, 2012 the WVDOC incarcerated over 1,000 sex offenders. If this bill is applied retrospectively, the financial impact would be significant as it would result in a large portion of those sex offenders spending the equivalent of twice the time in prison. For example, one offender, convicted of First Degree Sexual Assault and sentenced to 15-35 years, would cost the State of West Virginia an additional $415,599 ($24,447 average annual cost per inmate in FY2012 x 17 years). Finally, as sex offenders make up such a significant portion of the State's inmate population, an effective doubling of sentence would almost certainly lead to the need for increased bed construction.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2013
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2014
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 0 0
Personal Services 0 0 0
Current Expenses 0 0 0
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 0 0


Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):






Memorandum


The West Virginia Division of Corrections (WVDOC)currently has no method to quantify the number of sex offenders, currently incarcerated, whose victims were minor children. However, as of June 30, 2012 the WVDOC incarcerated over 1,000 sex offenders. If this bill is applied retrospectively, the financial impact would be significant as it would result in a large portion of those sex offenders spending the equivalent of twice the time in prison. For example, one offender, convicted of First Degree Sexual Assault and sentenced to 15-35 years, would cost the State of West Virginia an additional $415,599 ($24,447 average annual cost per inmate in FY2012 x 17 years). Finally, as sex offenders make up such a significant portion of the State's inmate population, an effective doubling of sentence would almost certainly lead to the need for increased bed construction.



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Loita Butcher
    Email Address: loita.c.butcher@wv.gov