Wade Painter v. David Ballard, Warden

Benjamin, Justice:

Petitioner Wade Painter, an inmate at Mount Olive Correctional Complex (“Mount Olive”), challenged by writ of mandamus in the Circuit Court of Kanawha County (“Ka-nawha circuit court”) deductions made by respondent David Ballard, Warden of Mount Olive, from Mr. Painter’s inmate account to pay court-ordered restitution. Mr. Painter asserts that West Virginia law prohibits the Warden from deducting funds from Mr. Painter’s inmate account that were gifted to him by family and friends. In an October 29, 2014, order, the Kanawha circuit court dismissed the petitioner’s writ of…