West Virginia

WEST VIRGINIA

ADVOCATE FOR JUSTICE THAT RESTORES

If you share our vision for a justice system that restores all those impacted by crime and incarceration, please join our growing network of advocates. Together we can inspire the Church, change the culture, and advance justice reform.

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With 40 years of experience helping restore men and women behind bars, Prison Fellowship advocates for federal and state criminal justice reforms that transform those responsible for crime, validate victims, and encourage communities to play a role in creating a safe, redemptive, and just society.

In 2015, Prison Fellowship supported the enactment of broad reforms based on the recommendations of the Intergovernmental Task Force on Juvenile Justice. This legislation would reform the juvenile justice system to ensure that residential placement facilities are reserved for those individuals who have completed the most serious crimes and that more effective and cost efficient community-based sanctions are utilized to reduce recidivism among this population. These changes are projected to reduce the number of youth held in residential facilities by 16 percent and save the state $20 million. West Virginia's legislature focused in 2016 on ensuring that proportional punishment is imposed for certain crimes and guarantee individuals with substance abuse problems receive the treatment they need to be restored as productive members of society.

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WAYS YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

TELL YOUR STORY

Have you been incarcerated in the past and experienced or overcome barriers to reentry? One testimony at a time, we can advance justice that restores.


SHARE

GIVE YOUR SIGNATURE

Tell your senators to support SB 301 and remove unnecessary barriers to employment while making Ohio neighborhoods safer, stronger, and more prosperous.


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GROW THE MOVEMENT

Invite your friends to sign up for our advocacy network. They can advance justice in just a few clicks! Every voice makes a difference.

LEARN

YOUR STATE STATISTICS

6K Adults in Prison

483 Minors in Juvenile Facilities

6.2K Adults on Probation

3.6K Adults on Parole

$38.7K Cost of Incarceration Per Adult Prisoner

$107K Cost of Incarceration Per Juvenile

Governor: Republican

Senate: Republican

House: Republican

In Session: Jan 9th - Mar 9th

PRISON FELLOWSHIP IN WEST VIRGINIA

Past Prison Fellowship victories in West Virginia include contributing to the enactment of Senate Bill 371. This legislation has allowed the state to realize both a reduction in correctional spending and an increase in public safety.

SIGN THE JUSTICE DECLARATION!

Grounded in biblical values and signed by over 100 Christian leaders, the Justice Declaration is a call to the Church to deploy its unique and unparalleled capacity to respond to crime and over-incarceration.

SIGN THE DECLARATION

IN THE NEWS

RAISE YOUR VOICE

We encourage Christians who are experienced in advocacy, looking to learn more, or interested in increasing their involvement to apply to the Justice Ambassador program. Justice Ambassadors’ voices can be effective tools to inspire the Church, change the culture, and advance justice that restores. Become a Justice Ambassador with Prison Fellowship today.

FEDERAL JUSTICE REFORM OPPORTUNITIES

Prison Fellowship has been active on Capitol Hill for decades, lobbying the Administration and Congress to support groundbreaking reforms to make communities safer, respect victims, and transform lives. No matter what state you call home, you can be part of our federal justice reform campaigns!

ENSURING PROPORTIONAL PUNISHMENT

The FIRST STEP Act was passed to reduce disproportional drug offenses and allow earn time credits to be awarded for program participation. Contact lawmakers to request they fully implement the law and maximize its potential!

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ADVANCING CONSTRUCTIVE PRISON CULTURE

Studies have revealed that participation in education programs during incarceration has resulted in a 43% lower recidivism rate. Encourage lawmakers to restore Pell Grant access behind bars to offer hope and higher education to incarcerated men and women.

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UNLOCKING
SECOND CHANCES

The Fair Chance Act allows formerly incarcerated individuals to show their talents, skills, & commitment to personal growth as they compete in labor markets. Ask lawmakers to support second chances through this thoughtful approach to criminal justice.

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*Statistics generated from reports by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (Mortality in Local Jails and State Prisons 2000-2011; Probation and Parole in the United States (2013);Prisoners in 2013, Vera Institute of Justice (The Price of Prisons), 2010 Census, Office of Juvenile Justice and Deliquency Provention 2011 and various department of corrections' websites.