Charleston, W.Va. (AP) -- Homeland Security and Military Affairs Secretary Jim Spears says a study advocating an overhaul of West Virginia's corrections system can't be allowed to sit on a shelf and gather dust.

Spears adds that the study's 14 recommendations must be considered in unison if the state is to curb the growth in the number of people sentenced to state correctional systems annually.

The report advocated a series of changes ranging from modifying sentencing laws to adding new beds to the system.

If all the recommendations are adopted, it would cost the state nearly $256 million.

Gov. Joe Manchin sought the recommendations in an effort to address overcrowding in the state's prisons.

Manchin has yet to comment on the report, which he received last week.

(Copyright 2009 by the Associated Press. All rights reserved.)