By Mannix Porterfield
Gov. Joe Manchin has some encouraging words for West Virginia’s beleaguered prison officers clamoring for a salary hike — everything is on the table and nothing at this stage is “unreasonable.”
At the same time, he has some grim news for criminals — prepare to earn your keep along state highways as part of the debt to society.
“We’ve identified there is more to be done,” Manchin said, emphasizing officers are getting a $1,300 hike starting July 1.
“We will do more. That will be a high priority in our January session, in our State of the State address. We’re doing a total evaluation of everything we can do.”
Officers at a number of correctional facilities have complained the low pay is driving many to other states and to federal institutions in quest of livable incomes.
Consequently, vacancies have sprouted, and this, in turn, leads to extended work hours, causing a strain on them and their families, the officers say.
In a recent interims meeting, employees suggested pay raises ranging from $4,000 to $8,000. Entry level is just above $20,000.
“We’re getting our house in order one thing at a time,” Manchin told The Register-Herald editorial board last week. “Corrections is one that we will get more.”
Manchin reminded reporters he found “a horrible situation” in the State Police salary schedule, learning some municipal and county officers earned more.
“I can tell you everything is on the table,” he said. “We’re looking and evaluating. There’s nothing that I would consider unreasonable.”
Manchin pointed out his administration was the first to approve multi-year hikes for teachers, and the first such for State Police in 15 years.
As for prison employees, he added, “We’re trying to say, ‘Let’s plan and do it right.’ I think we can accomplish it.”
Despite a rising inmate population, Manchin said he wouldn’t commit to building a new prison.
Conceivably, prison ranks could swell under the new Child Protection Act that imposes minimum, mandatory terms of up to 25 years for certain sex offenses, but Manchin was adamant space will be available for offenders.
“Those people, we’ll find room — you’re daggone right,” the governor said.
“I’m hoping we’re sending one heckuva message that if you’re that type of predator, this is not the state to be in.”
The jury is still out on a proposed policy of triple-bunking to accommodate the growing convict population.
On one corrections matter — working inmates — the governor says he is determined to see qualified, non-violent offenders out on roadways.
In fact, he said, direct orders have gone to Military Affairs and Public Safety Secretary Jim Spears and Transportation Secretary Paul Mattox to get this project rolling.
“It’s going to be every county’s responsibility to have them out working, paying their debt to society and creating a tremendous service,” he said
“And if you don’t see them, call me.”
Manchin smiled at the comparison to the classic prison work gang movie, “Cool Hand Luke,” and said he saw the benefits of working convicts recently while driving through Mercer County.
“Mercer County is doing a wonderful job,” he said.
“I was so proud driving through Mercer County. They had people out there working, picking up, cleaning, things of this sort. We’re putting a major push. You’re going to see it through all 55 counties. We’re making people more responsible for their incarceration.”
In another crime-related matter, the governor recalled last year’s successful effort to pursue illegal meth labs and lamented the harm drugs are doing to society.
“There’s not one of us sitting in this room that has not been affected by someone’s illegal use of drugs that we know in our family or someone close to us, friends,” he said.
“It’s epidemic. Something has to be done.”
Without elaborating, Manchin vowed to go far beyond his anti-meth bill of a year ago, saying, “We’re going after the rest of the drug trade.”
