By Charles Young, WV News
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — During his recent State of the State address, Gov. Jim Justice said the presence of West Virginia National Guard members in the state’s jails and prisons would soon be phased out.
This will be fully accomplished by “end of summer 2024,” according to a press release from the National Guard and the state Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
The division has recently recruited enough additional personnel to begin “incrementally downsizing the National Guard presence” at 10 facilities.
“We deeply appreciate the West Virginia National Guard as they stepped in to assist in corrections facilities across the state,” said William Marshall, commissioner of the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
“As we see increased momentum in our recruitment efforts and continue to hire new corrections officers, we remain grateful for their vital support,” Marshall said.
Since October, “more than 270 new recruits” have joined the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation, according to the release.
More than 40 National Guard members have expressed an interest in permanent positions with division, and eight have already secured employment, according to the release.
