What are the rules governing West Virginia jails and prisons?

As part of its effort to bring transparency to the criminal system, the WV Center on Budget and Policy has published a list of active Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DRC) policies. From WVCBP:

These decisions shape the well-being of people in custody, as well as the vast community of loved ones who also find themselves at the mercy of correctional rules.

Each year, tens of thousands of people will enter a West Virginia jail or prison. Each day, officials within these facilities make decisions that shape the lives of each person incarcerated. A facility will decide when and how to provide medical care; whether to approve a spouse’s visitation request; if a person will be able to attend a parent’s funeral (albeit, in handcuffs and under guard).

These decisions shape the well-being of people in custody, as well as the vast community of loved ones who also find themselves at the mercy of correctional rules.

And yet these rules have historically been unavailable to the average West Virginian.

How to Use this Index

1. Navigate to WVCBP’s “No More Hidden Rules” webpage  
2. Click the yellow button at the bottom of the page that reads “DCR Policy Directives”
3. Find the policy you want to view on the middle column 
4. Select the corresponding number in the left hand column to view the most up-to-date version of the policy