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Parole and Probation in West Virginia
If someone you love is on parole or probation in West Virginia, or if you have just gotten out and are trying to understand what is expected of you, this guide is written for both of you. West Virginia has a Parole Board of nine members that makes all parole release and revocation decisions, and a Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation that does the day-to-day supervision of parolees through its Parole Services section. Probation is a court-supervised process under a different statutory framework. The Board and DCR work together but serve different roles, and knowing which one to contact depends on what question you are trying to answer.
Parole vs. probation: different authorities
West Virginia uses two distinct supervision tracks with different controlling authorities.
Parole is the conditional early release from a state prison sentence granted by the West Virginia Parole Board. The Board makes the release decision and handles revocations. DCR's Parole Services supervises parolees in the community through parole offices statewide.
Probation is a court-imposed sentence. The sentencing court sets conditions and retains revocation authority. West Virginia's probation statutes are in W.Va. Code §62-12. DCR does not run probation for West Virginia cases - probation is court-supervised. DCR Parole Services does handle out-of-state probationers who move to West Virginia through the Interstate Compact.
The West Virginia Parole Board
The West Virginia Parole Board is part of the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation but operates independently within the criminal justice system. It sits within the Department of Homeland Security umbrella alongside DCR, the State Police, and other agencies.
The Board has nine members appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent. Members serve at the Governor's will and pleasure. The Governor also designates one member as chairperson. No more than five members may belong to the same political party at any time.
For hearings, the Board sits in panels of three members. Two of three constitutes a quorum. Each panel acts with the same authority as the full Board. Panels conduct hearings for parole release decisions, revocation decisions, discharge from parole, and parole interviews. The chairperson rotates panel membership on a rotating basis.
Parole Board hearings are open to the public. Monthly hearings are held by video conference. Victims may attend hearings and receive notification through the Board's process.
West Virginia Parole Board address: 1409 Greenbrier Street, 2nd Floor, Charleston WV 25311.
How parole eligibility works in West Virginia
Under W.Va. Code §62-12-13, parole eligibility in West Virginia is generally tied to the sentence structure. For indeterminate sentences, a person becomes eligible for parole after serving the minimum term set by the court. For definite term sentences, parole eligibility generally arises after serving one-fourth of the sentence, unless another statute governs.
West Virginia uses indeterminate sentencing for many offenses - sentences with a minimum and maximum range. The court sets the range; the Board decides when, within that range, a person is ready for release.
When a person becomes parole eligible, the Board reviews the case, considers institutional conduct, programming completion, the release plan, risk and needs assessment, and victim input. The Board can grant parole, defer the case, or deny release.
Before release, the Board reviews the proposed release plan. The person must have an approved plan for housing and in most cases employment before release proceeds.
Standard parole conditions in West Virginia
Standard conditions of parole under W.Va. Code §62-12-17 include:
No new criminal conduct - the parolee may not violate any criminal law of West Virginia, any other state, or the United States.
No leaving the state - the parolee may not leave West Virginia without the consent of DCR.
Compliance with supervision rules - the parolee must comply with all rules prescribed by DCR for supervision.
Additional conditions apply for convictions involving offenses against children, including specific child protection requirements.
The parolee may also be placed in a day report center or community corrections program as a condition of parole, with the consent of the program director.
DCR Parole Services furnishes each parolee a written statement of conditions and the rules for supervision.
Violation sanctions: what the law says
West Virginia sets specific limits on confinement sanctions for technical parole violations under W.Va. Code §62-12-19. For a first technical violation, the Board panel may impose up to 60 days of confinement. For a second technical violation, up to 120 days. The Board must make specific written findings to depart from these limits.
A new felony conviction during parole is automatically proof of a parole violation - the hearing procedures for that determination do not apply in that situation.
DCR Parole Services: who supervises day-to-day
DCR's Parole Services section handles supervision of all West Virginia parolees, out-of-state parolees supervised in West Virginia through the Interstate Compact, and out-of-state probationers who have transferred their supervision to West Virginia. Parole officers are law enforcement officers with the powers associated with that role.
Parole officers supervise felony offenders paroled from West Virginia prisons, conduct investigations, complete risk and needs assessments, and coordinate with other agencies including law enforcement and protective services. Supervision intensity is driven by the risk and needs assessment.
How to find someone in West Virginia
West Virginia's Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation maintains the Offender Information Search (OIS) at dcr.wv.gov/offendersearch. The OIS covers people in state prisons, on parole and under active supervision, and escapees and absconders. You can search by name or offender ID number.
Separately, the West Virginia Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority maintains its own inmate search for people held in regional jails, searchable by the first three letters of the last name.
DCR contact: 1409 Greenbrier Street, Charleston WV 25311; (304) 558-2036.
For county jail information: West Virginia has 55 counties. Pretrial detainees are often held in regional jails rather than county jails. Contact the regional jail for that county or check the Regional Jail Authority search.
How probation works in West Virginia
Probation in West Virginia is court-imposed under W.Va. Code §62-12. The court may suspend imposition or execution of a sentence and place an eligible person on probation. Conditions are set by the court. The court retains revocation authority.
West Virginia uses graduated confinement sanctions for qualifying technical probation violations - similar in structure to the parole violation limits. For violations that do not involve absconding or new criminal conduct, the statute provides for graduated responses before full revocation. Absconding, new criminal conduct, or violations of special conditions protecting the public or a victim trigger stronger revocation authority.
Probation violations are handled by the sentencing court, which can continue probation, modify conditions, or revoke and impose incarceration.
Voting rights in West Virginia
West Virginia does not restore voting rights while a person is on parole or probation. Voting rights are restored only upon full discharge from the sentence - meaning completion of the prison term, parole, and any other supervision. People currently serving any form of supervised release in West Virginia are not eligible to vote until that supervision is fully discharged.
Reporting and your supervision officer
This section is for the person on supervision. On parole, your officer works for DCR Parole Services. Know their name, their office, and your reporting schedule. Know your conditions from the written statement your officer is required to provide.
Do not leave West Virginia without advance consent from DCR. Address changes, employment changes: communicate these to your officer promptly.
For families: use the DCR Offender Information Search (OIS) at dcr.wv.gov/offendersearch to confirm prison or supervision status. For Parole Board matters, contact the Board at 1409 Greenbrier Street, 2nd Floor, Charleston WV 25311. Monthly hearings are held by video conference and are open to the public.
Violations: what families should know
For parole violations, the Parole Board panel conducts the hearing. Technical violations: first offense up to 60 days confinement; second offense up to 120 days. A new felony conviction is automatic proof of violation. A warrant filed by the DCR commissioner stays the running of the sentence until the parolee is returned to custody.
For probation violations, the sentencing court holds the hearing. Graduated sanctions apply for qualifying technical violations; absconding and new criminal conduct face stronger revocation grounds.
In all cases: get an attorney involved immediately. Show up to hearings.
Early termination and getting off supervision
The Parole Board can consider discharge from parole supervision when the parolee is eligible for release from further supervision.
For probation, the sentencing court can terminate probation early on petition.
West Virginia has a process for expungement of certain convictions and arrests. Getting off supervision is not expungement; they are separate proceedings. An attorney is the right resource.
[Internal link block to render at foot of article:]
- See every prison and jail in West Virginia: /prisons/west-virginia
- Send mail or photos to someone in West Virginia: InmateAid mail and photos service
- Send money to someone in West Virginia: InmateAid send money
- Search arrest records in West Virginia: Arrest Record Search (honestly labeled affiliate)
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between parole and probation?
Parole is granted by the West Virginia Parole Board after part of a prison sentence; DCR Parole Services supervises. Probation is court-imposed and court-supervised. Different authorities, different statutes.
Who is on the West Virginia Parole Board?
Nine members appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent, serving at the Governor's pleasure. No more than five may belong to the same party. The Governor designates one as chairperson.
How does the Board conduct hearings?
In panels of three members (two of three = quorum), appointed by the chairperson on a rotating basis. Panels have full Board authority. Hearings are open to the public and held monthly by video conference.
How does parole eligibility work in WV?
For indeterminate sentences: after the minimum term. For definite term sentences: generally after one-fourth of the sentence, unless another statute controls. Under W.Va. Code §62-12-13.
What are the technical violation limits in WV?
First technical parole violation: up to 60 days confinement. Second technical violation: up to 120 days. Board must make specific written findings to exceed these limits.
How do I find someone in West Virginia?
Use the DCR Offender Information Search (OIS) at dcr.wv.gov/offendersearch by name or offender ID. For regional jail inmates, use the WV Regional Jail Authority search. DCR phone: (304) 558-2036.
What is the OIS?
The Offender Information Search - DCR's public search tool covering state prison inmates, people on parole and active supervision, and escapees and absconders.
Who supervises parolees in West Virginia?
DCR Parole Services, through parole offices statewide. The same section also supervises out-of-state parolees and out-of-state probationers through the Interstate Compact.
Can people on parole vote in West Virginia?
No. Voting rights are restored only upon full discharge from the sentence - after completing all supervision including parole and probation. People currently on any supervised release cannot vote in WV.
What are standard parole conditions in WV?
No new criminal conduct, no leaving West Virginia without DCR consent, compliance with all supervision rules, and any special conditions set by the Board. Written conditions are provided to each parolee by the parole officer.
How is probation supervised in West Virginia?
By the sentencing court, not DCR. The court sets conditions and handles revocations. Graduated sanctions apply for qualifying technical violations; absconding and new criminal conduct face stronger revocation authority.
Can supervision be terminated early in WV?
Yes. The Parole Board can consider early discharge from parole when the parolee is eligible. Courts can terminate probation early on petition. =====================================================