Legislature 2008: Prisons

Gov. Joe Manchin's proposed budget for 2008-2009 includes $151 million for the state Division of Corrections.

As The Charleston Daily Mail reports, that's nearly twice what West Virginia's prison system cost taxpayers just seven years ago.

Medical costs are one culprit, with more than 11 percent of the prison population over age 65, the Daily Mail found.

"Meanwhile, the inmate population in the state's prison has risen from 3,027 to 4,145 -- a 37 percent increase. Projections have this number escalating," the article said.

Among possible options, "Two bills are currently pending in the state Legislature that would create commissions to study criminal sentencing guidelines and the state's overall criminal justice system," the newspaper reported.