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.
This bill would have a massive fiscal impact on the West Virginia Division of Corrections (WVDOC) and the State of West Virginia. Although the bill would most likely be applied prospectively, and taking into account that these types of offenders typically have rather long sentences, the language as drafted would double or triple or more the average length of stay of those convicted of Murder and/or Sexual Assault. The fiscal impact of just one offender, convicted of murder, whose length of stay doubles would be $366,705 (assuming they did not get parole at 15 years and spent 30 years total, $24,447 average annual cost per inmate in FY2012 x 15 years). The WVDOC currently houses over 1,000 offenders that would meet these criteria. This fiscal impact does not account for the need for new bed space. Eliminating parole for these offenders would have a “stacking” effect and would eventually lead to the need for significant bed expansions.
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
This bill would have a massive fiscal impact on the West Virginia Division of Corrections (WVDOC) and the State of West Virginia. Although the bill would most likely be applied prospectively, and taking into account that these types of offenders typically have rather long sentences, the language as drafted would double or triple or more the average length of stay of those convicted of Murder and/or Sexual Assault. The fiscal impact of just one offender, convicted of murder, whose length of stay doubles would be $366,705 (assuming they did not get parole at 15 years and spent 30 years total, $24,447 average annual cost per inmate in FY2012 x 15 years). The WVDOC currently houses over 1,000 offenders that would meet these criteria. This fiscal impact does not account for the need for new bed space. Eliminating parole for these offenders would have a “stacking” effect and would eventually lead to the need for significant bed expansions.
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Loita Butcher
Email Address: loita.c.butcher@wv.gov