Feb.
1, 2017
DOC
Commissioner Rubenstein retiring April 1
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia Division of Corrections
Commissioner Jim Rubenstein has announced his retirement effective April 1.
Rubenstein has served
as Corrections Commissioner since 2001.
During his tenure,
several construction projects were completed at correctional centers across the
state including facilities in Berkeley, Kanawha, Mason, Pleasants, Randolph and
Wood counties. He also directed the development of numerous information and
training management systems for staff, victims, and inmates.
Under Rubenstein’s
direction, the annual Mock Prison Riot at the former West Virginia Penitentiary
in Moundsville has grown into an international event. The DOC entered into a memorandum
of understanding with the U.S. State Department in 2016 encouraging
participation from across the globe, and 1,234 participants from 36 states and
29 foreign countries attended.
In 2013, he led the DOC’s
efforts in the development and implementation of the Justice Reinvestment Act
that led directly to many reforms in West Virginia and resulted in the first
inmate population decrease in modern history.
“I cannot describe what
it has meant to me to be the Commissioner of the West Virginia Division of
Corrections,” Rubenstein said. “I grew up in corrections, it is part of who I
am, and it has been my singular driving force to serve the Division of
Corrections to the best of my ability. I would like to say thank you to all of
the staff and the citizens of the state for affording me the opportunity to be
part of the best corrections team in the nation.”
# # #