At its 1962 Regular Session, the General Assembly, by House Joint Resolution No. 20, directed the Virginia Advisory Legislative Council to make a study and report upon all matters relating to removal of the Divisions of Corrections and Parole from the Department of Welfare and Institutions. In its report made to the Governor and 1964 Regular Session of the General Assembly, the Council concluded that at that time it could not recommend such separation as being feasible, in view of the certain increase in costs growing from such a separation, with no certainty of reduction in costs through more efficient operations. However, the Council stated that further consideration, at some future date, should be given to the desirability and feasibility of making the separation.

At its 1964 Regular Session, the General Assembly, by House Joint Resolution No. 92, directed the Virginia Advisory Legislative Council to continue its study concerning the Department of Welfare and Institutions.

Charles R. Fenwick, member of the Senate of Virginia and member of the Council, was selected as Chairman of a Committee to make the preliminary study and report to the Council. The following persons were named to serve as members of the Committee with Senator Fenwick: Mrs. George M. Constant, Arlington; James E. Covington, Jr., Attorney at Law, Richmond; John W. Garber, Director of the State Division of Personnel, Richmond; Robert R. Gwathmey, III, Attorney at Law and Member of the House of Delegates, Hanover; Allen H. Harrison, Jr., Attorney at Law, Arlington; W: L. Painter, Director of the Department of Welfare and Institutions, Richmond; and C. G. Quesenbery, Judge of the 29th Judicial Circuit, Waynesboro.

John B. Boatwright, Jr. and Wildman S. Kincheloe, Jr. served as Secretary and Recording Secretary, respectively, to the Committee.

The Committee met on several occasions and thoroughly considered the arguments both for and against dividing the Department of Welfare and Institutions. On one of these occasions it conferred with several members of the Board of Welfare and Institutions and all of the directors of the divisions within the Department.

After completing its deliberations, the Committee made its report to the Council. Having reviewed the Committee's report, the Council now presents its findings and recommendations.