Legislature 2010: Prisons

The Associated Press examines Gov. Joe Manchin's legislative session proposal "to create an accelerated parole program for the least risky inmates."

The governor's agenda also includes "boost the funding for work release programs in Charleston and Beckley," the article said.

It is such options that "politicians have long feared will expose them to the charge of being 'soft on crime,'' a tag no one wants during an election year in a conservative state," writes AP's Tom Breen. "Manchin, though, is willing to risk political backlash by proposing policies he says will save the state hundreds of millions in the long run and do a better job of rehabilitating prisoners with the best chance at being productive members of society."