W. Va. Code § 7-9-20
When a person is sentenced to such workhouse by the circuit or criminal courts, the clerk thereof shall make and deliver to the sheriff a certified copy of the docket and journal entries, showing the crime charged and the sentence of the court, which shall be delivered by the sheriff to the proper officer in charge of such workhouse, which shall be his warrant for detaining such person in custody therein. In case of such convictions by any court or magistrate, such court or magistrate shall make a certified transcript of the docket in such case, which shall in like manner be delivered to the marshal or constable or sheriff by such court or magistrate, which shall be delivered by such officer to the proper officer in charge of such workhouse, which shall be his warrant for detaining such person in custody therein. In all cases of sentences to a workhouse, the person so sentenced may be confined in the jail of the county or corporation prison for such period as may be reasonably necessary for the officer to procure the papers and make arrangements to transport him to such workhouse.
W. Va. Code § 7-9-20