Work to transform the old Salem Industrial Home for Youth into a minimum security adult prison is underway. The legislature passed a law authorizing the transition and the process is getting started.
“We do have a transition plan in place,” said Corrections Commissioner Jim Rubenstein. “Right now we’re working closely with the Division of Juvenile Services as they transfer residents of that facility to one of the other juvenile facilities around the state.”
Rubenstein says discussions have already been held with employees at Salem to gauge their interest in going to work for Corrections when the transition is complete. He said nearly all have indicated a desire to make the move.
Additionally a team is evaluating the facility to determine if there are any infrastructure adjustments which will be needed before adult inmates can be housed there. Rubenstein doubts there will be a need to make many changes.
“It looks like it’s not going to be anything major,” he said.
The target date for the transition is July 1st, but Rubenstein said that is a moving target because they want to make sure the juveniles leaving Salem are placed in the appropriate facility somewhere else in West Virginia based on their present needs.
The new facility will offer 400 new beds and Rubenstein says it’s a tremendous relief on other facilities across the state now bursting at the seams.