KANAWHA COUNTY, WV (WOWK) – There is a new policy in place in Kanawha County aimed at putting away violent criminals.

Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney Debra Rusnak announced the Violent Offender Initiative for Community Empowerment, or VOICE is designed to toughen penalties on people who commit gun crimes, sex crimes and crimes against children.

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The new changes include no agreed bond reductions, no agreed release for treatment, and no misdemeanor pleas on felony charges.

“The defendant understands that the Kanawha County Prosecutor’s Office is going to be heavy-handed and that we are going to be extremely harsh on these types of crimes of violence. And perhaps it will serve as a deterrent to keep those individuals from committing those crimes and to keep our, again, our individuals and our citizens in the community safe,” Rusnak said.

Rusnak is running in the November election against Democratic challenger John Mitchell. The former assistant prosecutor was appointed to the head role upon the retirement of former Prosecutor Charles T. Miller in June.

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