(a) In addition to the dissemination of information set forth in § 15-9C-3 of this code, the commission shall provide, on or before January 1, 2022, an assessment and report to the Legislature as its findings, analysis, and recommendations, if any, as to the state‘s sentencing and correctional laws and policies.

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Terms Used In West Virginia Code 15-9C-5

  • Sentencing guidelines: A set of rules and principles established by the United States Sentencing Commission that trial judges use to determine the sentence for a convicted defendant. Source: U.S. Courts
  • State: when applied to a part of the United States and not restricted by the context, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories, and the words "United States" also include the said district and territories. See West Virginia Code 2-2-10

(b) As part of the report set forth in subsection (a) of this section, the commission may, or at the request of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Delegates, shall make recommendations regarding the following issues:

(1) Whether the state should adopt discretionary sentencing guidelines and, if so, what type of discretionary sentencing guidelines should be adopted;

(2) Whether the state should alter the manner in which an inmate obtains credit for good time;

(3) Whether the state needs to take action to ensure that there is a coordinated system of alternatives to incarceration at the state and county levels and, if so, what action should be taken;

(4) Whether the state should establish additional guidelines and procedures to examine or reexamine the reduction of long-term sentences of individuals who are not a danger to public safety; and

(5) Any other matters relating to state and local laws and policies governing sentencing, parole, mandatory supervision, and correctional alternative programs.