West Virginia delays prison opening. (State to State).

West Virginia Division of Corrections Commissioner Jim Rubenstein said in November that the opening of a prison for West Virginia's female offenders would be delayed until mid-January. Lakin Correctional Center for Women, which will eventually house all the state's female inmates, was initially expected to open by the end of 2002. But slow construction of items such as security systems has forced the delay in opening the $15.5 million facility, about six miles north of Point Pleasant, Rubenstein said. The correctional center is adjacent to a hospital for geriatric patients. "Sometimes the process slows down," he said. "Historically, construction goes a little bit longer, but it's been full steam ahead. We're basically finishing up the touches on the ongoing construction." The only construction that remains is minor in nature, said Dale Humphreys, the facility's warden. He expects the facility to open this month after hoses are connected to washing machines and the kitchen is reorganized. "They're being attended to, and I don't look for any more delays," Humphreys said. He added that a 34-member class of correctional officers graduated from the facility's training academy in mid-November, and another group of about 30 people began their training sessions the following week. Each training session lasts between four and five weeks.

Source: The Associated Press