CRJ INFORMATION

The Central Regional Jail is located in Flatwoods just off of Interstate 79 in Braxton County, West Virginia. The facility, designed for a capacity of two hundred inmates, formally opened on February 22, 1993. It was the first of the prototypes that is the design of all of the regional jails. This state-of-the-art podular design allows for maximum security with minimum staffing through the use of the latest correctional technologies. The Central Region is composed of nine counties: Braxton, Calhoun, Clay, Gilmer, Lewis, Nicholas, Roane, Upshur and Webster. The Central Regional Jail is primarily overseen by an Administrator, a Chief Correctional Officer, and a 1st Sergeant.

The facility has a gymnasium which not only serves as an indoor recreation area, but can also serve as an emergency holding area. Separate interior spaces are provided for attorney/client visits, contact and non-contact visits, an up-to-date law library, a reading library, classrooms, and a chapel. The jail is equipped with extensive electronic security controls with provisions for central control of all areas in the event of an emergency. As with all of the regional jails, Central Regional Jail has closed-circuit hearings through the “Courtroom of the Future.”

Pursuant to West Virginia Code §17-15-4, inmates who are sentenced to the facility serve the community in a variety of work programs inside, as well as outside, of the jail. Substance abuse counseling, GED and Adult Basic Education programs are available to the inmates. Chaplains make full use of the jail chapel not only on Sundays, but also on several week nights on a voluntary basis.

The jail employs approximately eighty uniformed, administrative, and support staff. An additional nineteen employees work at the jail through contractual arrangements to provide inmate medical care and food service. A clinical psychologist, medical doctors, and nurses are contracted to serve the jail population. Also, counselors are on staff for entry and follow-up counseling.

The jail is located in the geographical center of West Virginia. There are several state parks as well as numerous campgrounds located within a short driving distance of the facility. Burnsville and Sutton Lakes, each within fifteen minutes’ driving distance, provide an abundant supply of water sports, fishing, and camping. A modern outlet mall and a conference center are flourishing within five minutes of the jail. The facility is also about an hour from Charleston, which provides year-round sporting and entertainment events as well as access to theater and musical productions.