Mission: The mission of the West Virginia Division of Corrections is to enhance public safety by providing a safe, secure, humane correctional system, including an effective community supervision program, opportunities to prepare offenders for successful re-entry, and sensitivity and responsiveness to victims of crime.

Vision: The vision of the West Virginia Division of Corrections is to be recognized as an innovative leader in providing quality correctional services.

Biography: Jim Rubenstein was appointed Commissioner of the West Virginia Division of Corrections on June 8, 2001 after serving as Acting Commissioner since February 2001 and is tasked with the responsibility to oversee the day to day operations of the Division of Corrections throughout the entire State of West Virginia.

Mr. Rubenstein has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology with a Minor in Criminal Justice from Fairmont State College and Mr. Rubenstein has over two-decades in the corrections profession. Mr. Rubenstein began his career with Corrections in 1973 as a Correctional Officer at the Forestry Camp for Boys. He also served as a Recreation Coordinator, a Correctional Officer, and a Counselor at the WV Industrial School for Boys. Mr. Rubenstein went on to serve as a Corrections Case Manager and Corrections Case Manager at Pruntytown Correctional Center. In 1994, Mr. Rubenstein was named Superintendent of Anthony Correctional Center. In late 1998, he was named Deputy Warden of St. Marys Correctional Center and was instrumental in the conversion of that facility from a state hospital to a medium security correctional institution. On June 1, 1999, Mr. Rubenstein was appointed to the position of Deputy Commissioner of Institutional Operations and served in that position until his appointment as Commissioner.

His qualifications and skills offer him a unique opportunity to bring insight and experience to the DOC. His career in corrections has prepared him with the management abilities, training and development skills, and interpersonal communications expertise necessary to promote programs, technology and training within the DOC.

Commissioner Rubenstein is affiliated with the following organizations: Member of the Association of State Correctional Administrators (ASCA), member of the American Correctional Association (ACA), Secretary for the Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority Board, member and former President of the WV Association of Correctional Employees (WV ACE), member of Southern States Correctional Association (SSCA), member of Holley Strength Systems, Buckhannon Power Team, United States Powerlifting Federation and National Association of Strength Athletes.