§61-5-9. Permitting escape; refusal of custody of prisoner; penalties.
If a jailer or other officer, or private correctional officer aid or voluntarily suffer a prisoner convicted or charged with felony to escape from his custody, he shall be deemed guilty of a felony, and, upon conviction, shall be confined in the penitentiary not less than one nor more than five years. If any such jailer or other officer, or private correctional officer negligently, but not voluntarily, suffer a person convicted of or charged with felony, or voluntarily or negligently suffer a person convicted of or charged with an offense not a felony, to escape from his custody, or willfully refuse to receive into his custody any person lawfully committed thereto, he shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, shall be confined in jail not less than six months, or be fined not exceeding one thousand dollars, or both such fine and confinement.

Note: WV Code updated with legislation passed through the 2012 1st Special Session