May 25,
2018
W.Va.
Corrections completes Anthony transfers
CHARLESTON,
W.Va. – The W.Va. Division of Corrections has removed all
inmates from its Anthony Correctional Center, with the remaining staff on
schedule to leave the facility’s main buildings by late this afternoon.
Staff are also being provided copies of
the final, written report from the recently concluded mold inspection that
prompted the transfers, along with written guidance from the Bureau for Public
Health at the Department of Health and Human Resources. Both documents are
being posted on the Division of Corrections website: http://www.wvdoc.com.
Corrections Commissioner Betsy Jividen ordered
the transfers on May 17, after receiving initial findings from the then-ongoing
inspection of the Greenbrier County minimum-security facility. Around 24 female
inmates were relocated to the Lakin Correctional Center. The 180 male inmates
were moved to the Denmar Correctional Center, which required the transfer of
inmates from that facility to the Parkersburg Correctional Center. Most of the
110 staff, which included Department of Education and contract employees, were
re-assigned to these other facilities. Those that remain are in areas cleared
by the inspection.
The inspection found significant levels of
mold in the center’s main building and adjoining structures. These form the
core of the facility and include inmate housing, the gym, kitchen, dining hall,
and administrative offices.
The vocational-technical training building
remains operational. It will help Corrections continue to satisfy the statutory
education and training needs of the youthful offender program that Anthony has
hosted. The Denmar facility is 40 miles from Anthony, in neighboring Pocahontas
County.
Corrections received the final inspection
report on May 22. Further review of the report will help Corrections determine
the best course for addressing the issues identified by the inspection.
Commissioner Jividen credits the Bureau
for Public Health for its continuing guidance, which has greatly assisted her
and her leadership team in the response to the inspection’s findings.
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