Lawsuit Alleges Inmate Mistreatment Persists in West Virginia Regional Jails

Attorneys say conditions and violence against inmates remain serious issues despite past prosecutions of corrections officers.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A new lawsuit alleges that incidents of neglect, civil rights violations, and violence against inmates continue to plague regional jails in West Virginia, including the Southern Regional Jail in Raleigh County and Mount Olive Correctional Complex in Fayette County. Attorneys say even minor offenders are facing dangerous situations due to internal corruption, poor maintenance, and short staffing in the facilities.

Why it matters

Inmate mistreatment and dangerous conditions in West Virginia's regional jails have been an ongoing concern, leading to past indictments and prosecutions of corrections officers. This new lawsuit suggests the problems persist, raising questions about oversight, accountability, and the treatment of incarcerated individuals, even those jailed for minor offenses.

The details

According to the attorneys involved, the lawsuit cites incidents of neglect, civil rights violations, and violence against inmates in the Southern Regional Jail and Mount Olive Correctional Complex. They say the issues stem from internal corruption, poor maintenance, and short staffing at the facilities. Family members of inmates have also raised concerns about the treatment of their loved ones.

  • The new lawsuit was filed on February 13, 2026.

The players

Steve New

A local attorney representing clients in the lawsuit.

Tim Lupardus

An attorney involved in the lawsuit who is encouraging inmates or their families to come forward with information about mistreatment.

West Virginia Division of Corrections

The state agency responsible for the regional jails, which has yet to respond to the allegations.

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What they’re saying

“No one who goes into jail on a shoplifting charge or a bond revocation or something like that should face a death sentence.”

— Steve New, Attorney (wvnstv.com)

“People still aren't being listened to. If any inmate or any family of any inmate has any knowledge whatsoever of an incident in one of West Virginia's jails, we do want to hear about it. We'll listen to you and we'll take you seriously.”

— Tim Lupardus, Attorney (wvnstv.com)

What’s next

The West Virginia Division of Corrections has yet to respond to the allegations made in the lawsuit. The outcome of the legal proceedings and any potential changes to address the issues raised will be closely watched.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the persistent problems of inmate mistreatment and dangerous conditions in West Virginia's regional jails, despite past efforts to address the issues. It raises concerns about the oversight and accountability of the state's correctional system and the need for meaningful reforms to protect the rights and wellbeing of incarcerated individuals.