West Virginia's correctional facilities are crowded and across the country forensic science is playing a bigger role in investigations. A growing demand for effectively trained officers at state prisons and knowledge of forensic labs has created a winning situation for Glenville State College and West Virginia.

Those beginning a career in corrections will have a new opportunity at GSC when the West Virginia Division of Juvenile Services, the West Virginia Regional Jail Authority and the West Virginia Corrections Academy combine at its new facility, The Morris Criminal Justice Training Center.

West Virginia Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Jim Spears explained that the new complex will have several advantages.

With state correctional facilities at capacity, the new training facility will enable officers employed at the prisons to be better prepared when they begin employment. Those enrolled in the program will receive an education in theory and application while they are trained by officers at correctional facilities, Spears said.

Combined training will also give officers the same core training, no matter which agency they choose as their employer. The one stop shop for correctional officers gives them a "first class" facility and adds professionalism to their work. Correctional officers are expected to be professionals on the job, but the new complex also reminds the men and women the state considers them to professional, Spears commented.

The synergy of putting the three groups together creates a winning combination for the state and GSC, Spears said. He says the state will save approximately $60,000 each year in training costs with the combined facility.

GSC President Dr. Peter Barr says the college is predicting the enhancements will boost enrollment numbers for its criminal justice program. Those who participate in the major will be awarded a bachelor's degree and certification for employment in a corrections.

It's not just a correctional training facility, with the help of a $700,000 grant awarded through the Department of Justice and supported by the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety, a scaled down version of the state police forensic lab will become part of the facility. This practical training will help identify potential employees for the state police and be used for forensic science minors, Barr explained.

The Regional Jail Authority and Division of Juvenile Services have already moved to the new complex at Glenville and the Division of Corrections Academy will join the other two in January. The forensic lab will be incorporated into the training program in February, Barr said.