Bill Text: WV SCR24 | 2023 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Renaming Mount Olive Correctional Complex and Jail as Mike V. Coleman Maximum Security Complex
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 28-4)
Status: (Passed) 2023-03-11 - Completed legislative action [SCR24 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2023-SCR24-Amended.html
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 24
(By Senators Clements, Blair (Mr. President), Azinger, Barrett, Boley, Caputo, Chapman, Deeds, Grady, Hamilton, Hunt, Karnes, Maroney, Martin, Maynard, Nelson, Oliverio, Plymale, Queen, Roberts, Rucker, Smith, Stover, Stuart, Swope, Takubo, Tarr, Taylor, Trump, Weld, Woelfel, and Woodrum)
[Introduced March 09, 2023]
Whereas, Mike Coleman began his state government career on July 9, 1984, with the then Department of Corrections at the West Virginia Penitentiary (WVP) at Moundsville, where he worked as a line Correctional Officer and a member of the Corrections Emergency Response Team (CERT). Over the next 36 ½ years, Director Mike Coleman worked for the Department of Corrections in progressively more responsible positions; and
Whereas, Director Mike Coleman was one of 15 Correctional Officers and one civilian employee taken hostage by inmates at the WVP on January 1, 1986, during what came to be called the New Year's Day Riot. In August 1999, Director Mike Coleman disarmed an inmate who had fired 2 rounds from a smuggled pistol during an escape attempt at the Mount Olive Correctional Complex (MOCC). For his actions, Director Mike Coleman was awarded a citation for valor by Governor Cecil H. Underwood and was also honored by the American Correctional Association with its Best in the Business Award; and
Whereas, Director Mike Coleman was promoted to Sergeant in 1987 and served as Protective Custody Unit Commander, Training Sergeant, and Squad Leader on CERT. In 1992, he transferred to the Corrections Academy as a Lieutenant where he was responsible for Basic Training operations and served as Chief Firearms Instructor, Use of Force Training Coordinator, and as Assistant Team Leader on the WVP CERT. In January 1995, Director Mike Coleman was promoted to Executive Assistant to the Warden at the new MOCC, where he subsequently served as Associate Warden of Operations, Associate Warden-Security, Deputy Warden, and 14 months as Acting Warden; and
Whereas, In April 2005, the commissioner appointed him Director of Security and Chief of Special Operations with statewide responsibility for the CERT, Crisis Negotiation Team, K9 Unit, Correctional Hearing Officers, Intelligence Unit, and Liaison with McDowell County Corrections. He was appointed Assistant Commissioner of Operations in October 2013, with responsibility for all adult corrections institutions and centers. He was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Corrections on June 1, 2015; and
Whereas, In April 2017, Director Mike Coleman served, at the special request of Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety (DMAPS) Secretary Sandy, as the Corrections Advisor on a five-member executive team created to develop a legislative package for the consolidation of the Division of Corrections, Regional Jail Authority, and Division of Juvenile Services and to create a new division to provide administrative services across DMAPS; and
Whereas, In October 2017, Governor Jim Justice appointed Director Mike Coleman as Acting Commissioner of the Division of Corrections. House Bill 4338 was passed during the 2018 regular legislative session, creating the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (OCR) and the Division of Administrative Service (DAS) within DMAPS. Upon passage of House Bill 4338 he returned to OCR where he advised OCR Commissioner on merging the three legacy correctional agencies into a single agency and advised the Cabinet Secretary on standing up DAS. On February 13, 2021, secretary Sandy named Mike Coleman the Director of the West Virginia Division of Administrative Services; and
Whereas, Director Mike Coleman is a graduate of numerous training courses conducted by and through the West Virginia Corrections Academy, the National Institute of Corrections, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Northwestern University, and others. He also served as a corrections training consultant to the Governor's Committee on Crime, Delinquency, and Correction, the American Correctional Association, the Upshur County Sheriff's Department, the
U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, L.A. Media, KAIROS of WV Prison Ministry, and others; and
Whereas, On March 3, 2023, Director Mike Coleman passed following his battle with a long illness. Director Mike Coleman dedicated his entire career to corrections in the State of West Virginia and was a truly loyal and hardworking public servant whose contributions deserve recognition; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Mount Olive Correctional Complex and Jail be renamed the Mike V. Coleman Mount Olive Maximum Security Complex; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to Director Mike Coleman's spouse, Keri Coleman, and his family.
