CHARLESTON, W.Va. - With projections for the state's prison population to grow by 2,500 inmates over the next three years, Military Affairs and Public Safety Secretary Jim Spears told legislators Sunday the time has come to seriously consider building a new prison.

"It is something that has to be considered very seriously, and better sooner than later," Spears told a Government Organization interim committee.

He estimated the cost of a 1,700-bed facility would be in the range of $200 million.

As of Sunday, the Division of Corrections had 6,279 inmates, he said. About 20 percent of those prisoners are housed in regional jails around the state because the prisons are at capacity.

Legislators Sunday questioned why the numbers of inmates are growing in a state that has seen relatively flat population growth.

Norm Federspiel, director of Criminal Justice Services, said that changes in sentencing appear to be one factor.

Since 2000, the number of inmates sentenced on drug charges has jumped 9.7 percent, while those convicted of property crimes has increased 5.7 percent.

Five years ago, he said, 62 percent of inmates in state prisons were violent offenders. Now, a majority of inmates are serving time for non-violent offenses.

Senate Government Organization Chairman Ed Bowman, D-Hancock, said the state needs to revisit sentencing standards.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - With projections for the state's prison population to grow by 2,500 inmates over the next three years, Military Affairs and Public Safety Secretary Jim Spears told legislators Sunday the time has come to seriously consider building a new prison.

"It is something that has to be considered very seriously, and better sooner than later," Spears told a Government Organization interim committee.

He estimated the cost of a 1,700-bed facility would be in the range of $200 million.

As of Sunday, the Division of Corrections had 6,279 inmates, he said. About 20 percent of those prisoners are housed in regional jails around the state because the prisons are at capacity.

Legislators Sunday questioned why the numbers of inmates are growing in a state that has seen relatively flat population growth.

Norm Federspiel, director of Criminal Justice Services, said that changes in sentencing appear to be one factor.

Since 2000, the number of inmates sentenced on drug charges has jumped 9.7 percent, while those convicted of property crimes has increased 5.7 percent.

Five years ago, he said, 62 percent of inmates in state prisons were violent offenders. Now, a majority of inmates are serving time for non-violent offenses.

Senate Government Organization Chairman Ed Bowman, D-Hancock, said the state needs to revisit sentencing standards.

"I want us to keep the baddest of the bad guys in prison," he said. "However, I do believe we are incarcerating people that we could better serve the public, as well as themselves, to have them elsewhere."

Currently, there are two committees - a panel appointed by the Supreme Court and a blue ribbon commission appointed by the governor - studying prison overcrowding issues and options.

Spears noted it is often difficult for legislators to approve shorter sentences or alternative sentencing, over concerns their political opponents will brand them as soft on crime.

Sen. Clark Barnes, R-Randolph, said the division should emphasize that alternative sentencing, with priorities on rehabilitation and reform is "being smart on crime, not soft on crime."

Spears said the key issue is to how to reduce prison overcrowding, while ensuring that public safety is maintained.

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