Davis, C.J., dissenting:

        In this case the appellant, Claude Ray Morris, presented a single assignment of error in his brief. Mr. Morris asked this Court to order his transfer to the psychiatric facility at William Sharpe State Hospital. The majority opinion has elected to ignore the relief prayed for in Mr. Morris' brief and has, instead, determined that his convictions and sentences should be vacated. I believe the majority was without authority to grant such relief. Therefore, I dissent.

        In the petition for appeal filed by Mr. Morris, he argued that he should receive a new trial because he was incompetent to stand trial. Additionally, Mr. Morris argued as an alternative that he should be allowed to serve his sentences at William Sharpe State Hospital. The Court granted Mr. Morris' petition without limiting the assignments of error. When Mr. Morris filed his brief, however, he listed and argued only one of the issues raised in his petition. He requested this Court to order his transfer to William Sharpe State Hospital. Mr. Morris sought no other relief.   (See footnote 1)  By abandoning his previous request for a new trial on the grounds of incompetency, Mr. Morris has waived that issue.   (See footnote 2)  This Court has previously adhered to the rule that “[a]lthough we liberally construe briefs in determining issues presented for review, issues which are not raised, and those mentioned only in passing but are not supported with pertinent authority, are not considered on appeal.” State v. LaRock, 196 W. Va. 294, 302, 470 S.E.2d 613, 621 (1996). Accord State v. Adkins, 209 W. Va. 212, 216 n.5, 544 S.E.2d 914, 918 n.5 (2001) (per curiam); State v. Allen, 208 W. Va. 144, 162, 539 S.E.2d 87, 105 (1999); State v. Easton, 203 W. Va. 631, 642 n.19, 510 S.E.2d 465, 476 n.19 (1998); State v. Riley, 201 W. Va. 708, 712 n.2, 500 S.E.2d 524, 528 n.2 (1997) (per curiam); State v. Phelps, 197 W. Va. 713, 721 n.5, 478 S.E.2d 563, 571 n.5 (1996) (per curiam); State v. Lilly, 194 W. Va. 595, 605 n.16, 461 S.E.2d 101, 111 n.16 (1995). Indeed, we crystallized the raise or waive rule in syllabus point 6 of Addair v. Bryant, 168 W. Va. 306, 284 S.E.2d 374 (1981), wherein it was said that “[a]ssignments of error that are not argued in the briefs on appeal may be deemed by this Court to be waived.” Accord State v. Lockhart, 208 W. Va. 622, 627 n.4, 542 S.E.2d 443, 448 n.4 (2000); State v. Helmick, 201 W. Va. 163, 172, 495 S.E.2d 262, 271 (1997); State v. Potter, 197 W. Va. 734, 741 n.13, 478 S.E.2d 742, 749 n.13 (1996); Syl. pt. 9, State v. Garrett, 195 W. Va. 630, 466 S.E.2d 481 (1995); State v. George W.H., 190 W. Va. 558, 563 n.6, 439 S.E.2d 423, 428 n.6 (1993); State v. Lola Mae C., 185 W. Va. 452, 453 n.1, 408 S.E.2d 31, 32 n.1 (1991); Syl. pt. 1, State v. Schoolcraft, 183 W. Va. 579, 396 S.E.2d 760 (1990); State v. Sayre, 183 W. Va. 376, 379 n.2, 395 S.E.2d 799, 802 n.2 (1990); State v. Stacy, 181 W. Va. 736, 739 n.3 384 S.E.2d 347, 350 n.3 (1989); State v. Moss, 180 W. Va. 363, 374 n.16, 376 S.E.2d 569, 580 n.16 (1988); State v. Flint, 171 W. Va. 676, 679 n.1, 301 S.E.2d 765, 768 n.1 (1983); State v. Fairchild, 171 W. Va. 137, 150 n.7, 298 S.E.2d 110, 123 n.7 (1982); State v. Buck, 170 W. Va. 428, 430 n.2, 294 S.E.2d 281, 284 n.2 (1982); State v. Church, 168 W. Va. 408, 410 n.1, 284 S.E.2d 897, 899 n.1 (1981).

        The majority opinion has determined that it can invoke the “plain error doctrine” in order to address an issue not raised in Mr. Morris' brief. I do not question the authority of this Court to “sua sponte, in the interest of justice, notice plain error.” Syl. pt. 1, in part, State v. Myers, 204 W. Va. 449, 513 S.E.2d 676 (1998). However, the plain error doctrine cannot be used to address expressly abandoned or waived issues.

See Britner v. Medical Sec. Card, Inc., 200 W. Va. 352, 354 n.5, 489 S.E.2d 734, 736 n.5 (1997) (per curiam) (“The defendants' petition for appeal cited as error the circuit court's application of the five year statute of limitations to this case. However, the defendants did not address that issue in their brief and therefore have abandoned that assignment of error.”); Banker v. Banker, 196 W. Va. 535, 539 n.1, 474 S.E.2d 465, 469 n.1 (1996) (“The defendant abandoned many of her claims raised in her petition for appeal. . . . We will address only the claims briefed by the defendant.”); State v. Buck, 170 W. Va. 428, 430 n.2, 294 S.E.2d 281, 284 n.2 (1982) (“Pursuant to our established rule, we limit our consideration of this case to those arguments fully developed and argued and exclude others listed in the initial petition.”); State v. Yates, 169 W. Va. 453 n.1, 288 S.E.2d 522, 524 n.1 (1982) (per curiam) (“The appellant makes a number of assignments of error which all ultimately involve whether the evidence supported the jury's verdict. In his petition he also raised procedural points which he abandoned in his brief.”); State v. Knight, 168 W. Va. 615, 617, 285 S.E.2d 401, 403 (1981) (“[B]y brief, appellant argued his assignments of error alleging unconstitutionality, insufficiency of the evidence, and failure to disqualify the prosecutor, but he abandoned the assignments enumerated three and four in his petition relating to the State's instructions.”); State v. Wotring, 167 W. Va. 104, 105, 279 S.E.2d 182, 185 (1981) (“[Appellant] assigned fifteen errors in her petition for appeal. . . . In her brief, she consolidates or abandons most of the errors initially assigned and now asks us to review six assignments of error[.]”); State v. Davis, 153 W. Va. 742, 748, 172 S.E.2d 569, 573 (1970) (“[I]n the petition for writ of error and supersedeas filed in this Court, numerous assignments of error have been asserted. The assignments of error were summarized and reduced to six in number for the purpose of discussion in the brief filed by counsel for the defendant in this Court. Presumably other assignments of error have been waived or abandoned.”); Porter v. Woodard, 134 W. Va. 612, 615, 60 S.E.2d 199, 201 (1950) (“Several assignments of error are made by defendants in their petition for an appeal, all of which, save the issue raised by the special plea and the general replication, have been abandoned.”); Gilmore v. Montgomery Ward & Co., 133 W. Va. 342, 345-346, 56 S.E.2d 105, 107 (1949) (“In its petition to this Court for a writ of error, defendant assigns as error the actions of the trial court in overruling defendant's demurrer . . ., and in overruling defendant's motion for a bill of particulars. However, it appears that defendant has abandoned these assignments of error in its brief filed herein, and no further consideration will be given to them.”); State v. Marinitsis, 130 W. Va. 613, 614, 45 S.E.2d 733, 734 (1947) (“Of the sixteen general assignments of error, upon submission [of the brief] all seem to have been abandoned except questions that turn upon the sufficiency of the indictment[.]”); State v. Summerville, 112 W. Va. 398, 400-01, 164 S.E. 508, 509 (1932), (“This assignment of error . . . [is] not made [a] point[ ] of error in defendants' brief, [and is] presumably waived.”).

        There is no dispute that once this Court accepted Mr. Morris' petition for appeal without qualifications, he had a right to raise in his appellate brief every issue raised in his petition. By failing to do so, Mr. Morris expressly, not impliedly, waived his right to have this Court examine on the merits issues involving his convictions. Consequently, this Court's precedent prohibits the majority from relying on the plain error doctrine to address issues involving Mr. Morris' convictions. It was noted in State v. Knuckles, 196 W. Va. 416, 421, 473 S.E.2d 131, 136 (1996), that “waiver necessarily precludes salvage by plain error review.” It has also been said that “[w]hen there has been a knowing and intentional relinquishment or abandonment of a known right, there is no error and the inquiry as to the effect of a deviation from the rule of law need not be determined.” Syl. pt. 8, in part, State v. Miller, 194 W. Va. 3, 459 S.E.2d 114 (1995). “In other words, '[w]hen a right is waived, it is not reviewable even for plain error.'” State v. Myers, 204 W. Va. 449, 460, 513 S.E.2d 676, 687 (1998) (quoting State v. Crabtree, 198 W. Va. 620, 631, 482 S.E.2d 605, 616 (1996)). As a result of the majority decision in this case, the Court is henceforth obligated to invoke the plain error doctrine to address issues that defendants have expressly waived. This sweeping change in the limited use of the plain error doctrine is wrong.

Consequently, the State declined the Court's offer to request a continuance and indicated that it would rely upon this Court's precedent which, until the decision in this case, precluded review of unassigned and waived errors. Not only was the State legally correct in declining to brief the issues waived, the majority improperly placed the burden on the State to request a continuance.

        Until this case, the rule in this Court has always been that “[o]n an appeal to this Court the appellant bears the burden of showing that there was error in the proceedings below resulting in the judgment of which he complains[.]” Syl. pt. 2, in part, Perdue v. Coiner, 156 W. Va. 467, 194 S.E.2d 657 (1973). Accord Cook v. Channel One, Inc., 209 W. Va. 432, 434, 549 S.E.2d 306, 308 (2001) (per curiam); Rose v. Thomas Mem'l Hosp. Found., Inc., 208 W. Va. 406, 414, 541 S.E.2d 1, 9 (2000) (per curiam); Jordache Enters., Inc. v. National Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, Pa., 204 W. Va. 465, 473, 513 S.E.2d 692, 700 (1998); Syl. pt. 5, Morgan v. Price, 151 W. Va. 158, 150 S.E.2d 897 (1966). By asking the State if it wanted to request a continuance, the burden on appeal was impermissibly shifted to the State. It was the exclusive burden of Mr. Morris, as the appellant, to request a continuance from this Court for the purpose of briefing an issue that he had failed to brief. In other words, the question of a continuance had to be directed to Mr. Morris, not to the State. This erroneous burden shifting deprived the State of the right to argue against granting Mr. Morris a continuance to brief an issue he failed to initially brief.

         (1) Application of W. Va. Code § 28-5-31(b). The State opposed the single ground of relief sought by Mr. Morris. The primary argument presented by the State was that the legislature has provided a procedure that is to be utilized for a prison inmate who is believed to be mentally ill and seeks to be transferred to a state mental health facility. The procedure imposed by the legislature is found in W. Va. Code § 28-5-31(b).   (See footnote 6) 

The State contends that Mr. Morris did not satisfy the requirements of the statute and, therefore, the Court could not grant habeas relief on this issue.

        This Court had an opportunity to address the application of W. Va. Code § 28- 5-31 in the case of In re. Crews, 168 W. Va. 244, 283 S.E.2d 925 (1981). Crews involved several prison inmates who sought to be transferred to a state hospital on the grounds that they were suffering from mental illness and drug addiction. To obtain this relief, the inmates filed applications for transfer with the circuit court. This procedure was authorized under W. Va. Code § 28-5-31 at the time the inmates filed their applications. However, subsequent to the filing of these applications with the circuit court, the legislature amended the statute and provided a different procedure. Under the new procedure, an inmate could not file an application for transfer unless prison officials recommended transfer. Crews determined that the trial court had correctly denied relief to the inmates, and that the inmates had to comply with the amended version of W. Va. Code § 28-5-31 in order to seek transfer to a state hospital. Crews is instructive on the general requirements of the statute, but is not dispositive of the matter raised by Mr. Morris.

        Through W. Va. Code § 28-5-31(b), the legislature has crafted a procedure with which an inmate must comply when seeking transfer from a correctional institution to a state hospital. Pursuant to this statute, if an inmate is believed to be mentally ill and in need of treatment, training, or other services, a correctional officer, member of a correctional institution medical staff, relative, or the inmate, must inform the chief administrative officer of the correctional facility. It is then the duty of the chief administrative officer to arrange for a psychiatric or psychological examination of the inmate. If the examination report indicates that the inmate is mentally ill and requires treatment, training, or other services that cannot reasonably be provided at the correctional facility, the chief administrative officer must file an application for transfer with the clerk of the circuit court of the county in which the correctional facility is located.

        W. Va. Code § 28-5-31(b) further provides that if the transfer is opposed by either the inmate or by the superintendent of the facility to which transfer is sought, the matter must be scheduled for hearing by the circuit court or mental hygiene commissioner. At the hearing, proof of mental condition, and of the likelihood of serious harm, must be established by clear, cogent and convincing evidence. The likelihood of serious harm must be based upon evidence of recent overt acts. Upon completion of the hearing, the circuit court or mental hygiene commissioner must make findings of fact as to whether or not (1) the inmate is mentally ill; (2) the inmate, because of mental illness, is likely to cause serious harm to him/herself or others; (3) the inmate could not obtain the requisite treatment or training at the correctional facility or another appropriate correctional facility; and (4) the designated facility to which transfer is sought could provide such treatment or training with such security as the court finds appropriate. If all such findings are in the affirmative, the circuit court may order the transfer of the inmate to the appropriate facility.

        In my review of the provisions of W. Va. Code § 28-5-31(b), I have found that the statute fails to expressly provide for judicial review of an administrative determination that an inmate is not mentally ill, or that the inmate should not be transferred to another facility because of a mental illness.   (See footnote 7)  I must address this omission by the statute, because in the instant proceeding it has been determined that Mr. Morris should not be transferred to another facility.   (See footnote 8) 

         (2) Omission of judicial review by W. Va. Code § 28-5-31(b). Under the procedure outlined in W. Va. Code § 28-5-31(b), the legislature has permitted judicial review of an administrative determination that an inmate is mentally ill and should be transferred to another facility. However, this statute does not expressly provide for judicial review of an administrative determination that an inmate is not mentally ill, or that the inmate should not be transferred to another facility because of a mental illness. The State contends that if prison officials do not recommend relief to an inmate under W. Va. Code § 28-5-31(b), the judicial system is powerless to intervene and order a transfer. I disagree.

        I have grave constitutional concerns about the failure of W. Va. Code § 28-5- 31(b) to expressly provide for judicial review of an administrative determination that an inmate is not mentally ill or that the inmate should not be transferred to another facility because of a mental illness.   (See footnote 9)  This statute conclusively presumes that prison administrators are infallible. That is, W. Va. Code § 28-5-31(b) presumes that when a prison administrator determines that an inmate is not mentally ill or that adequate services are provided by the prison to treat a mental illness, no error can ever be found with such a determination. In my judgment, this statutory conclusive presumption cannot be permitted to deny an inmate the right to have judicial review of the legality of an administrative determination that he/she is not mentally ill or that he/she should not be transferred to another facility because of a mental illness. See Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 104, 97 S. Ct. 285, 291, 50 L. Ed. 2d 251 (1976) (“[D]eliberate indifference to serious medical needs of prisoners constitutes the 'unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain,' . . . proscribed by the Eighth Amendment.”). Due process of law would be violated by a complete absence of the right to have judicial review of a prison administrator's decision on such a critical issue. See Queen v. West Virginia Univ. Hosps., Inc., 179 W. Va. 95, 106, 365 S.E.2d 375, 386 (1987) (“[T]he fundamental promise of due process is freedom from arbitrary treatment.”); Major v. DeFrench, 169 W. Va. 241, 251, 286 S.E.2d 688, 694-95 (1982) (“It is fundamental to say that due process guarantees freedom from arbitrary treatment by the state.”); Walter Butler Bldg. Co. v. Soto, 142 W. Va. 616, 636, 97 S.E.2d 275, 287 (1957) (“Due process of law is such procedure as is within the limits of those fundamental principles of liberty and justice which underlie our civil and political institutions.”). The Court has previously noted that we “will disturb the actions of prison administrators that infringe basic constitutional rights.” State ex rel. Anstey v. Davis, 203 W. Va. 538, 545, 509 S.E.2d 579, 585 (1998).

        Based upon the foregoing constitutional concerns, I conclude that a prison inmate may seek habeas corpus relief in circuit court to challenge a prison administrative determination, under W. Va. Code § 28-5-31(b), that he/she is not mentally ill or that he/she should not be transferred to another facility because of a mental illness.   (See footnote 10)  See State ex rel. Askin v. Dostert, 170 W. Va. 562, 568, 295 S.E.2d 271, 277 (1982) (“It is fundamental that no individual can be required to forfeit constitutionally protected property and liberty interests without procedures designed to prevent arbitrary treatment by the government.”); Floyd v. Chesapeake & Ohio Ry. Co., 112 W. Va. 66, 73, 164 S.E. 28, 31 (1932) (“No procedure is just which deprives a [person] of the opportunity to be heard respecting the justice of the punishment to be inflicted.”).

         (3) Mr. Morris presented insufficient evidence to obtain relief under W. Va. Code § 28-5-31(b). Having determined that habeas relief may be available to a prisoner to challenge an adverse prison administrative decision under W. Va. Code § 28-5- 31(b), I now turn to the merits of Mr. Morris' request for relief on this issue.   (See footnote 11) 

        In the instant proceeding, the record indicates that prison officials had a psychological evaluation performed on Mr. Morris in January of 2000.   (See footnote 12)  The evaluation was performed to determine whether Mr. Morris “should remain in the general prison population or be transferred to another facility such as the Prison's psychiatric ward.” The psychological report indicated that Mr. Morris functioned well enough to remain in the general prison population. The following was included in the summary of the psychological report:

        Although Mr. Morris is in a wheelchair and is nonverbal, he appears to have functioned well in the mainline population, and would be best served to remain there. He has not been a problem for staff members and reacts well to others. Staff members feel that Mr. Morris possesses the ability to talk, and is electing to be nonverbal. He appears to have a bond with his cellmate of almost two years, who understands his wants and needs. Mr. Morris has a psychiatric history which includes auditory and visual hallucinations; however, this has not interfered with his functioning in the mainline population, and he is taking psychotropic medication. . . . He appears to be low functioning, and previous testing indicated he functions within the moderate range of retardation; however, he may be functioning at a somewhat higher level. . . .

        Mr. Morris has argued that he is mentally ill, and that the prison cannot properly treat his mental illness. The problem with Mr. Morris' contention is the lack of evidence to support transferring him to William Sharpe State Hospital. As previously indicated, under W. Va. Code § 28-5-31(b), a prisoner may be transferred to another facility only upon clear, cogent and convincing evidence of four factors: (1) the inmate is mentally ill; (2) the inmate, because of mental illness, is likely to cause serious harm to him/herself or others; (3) the inmate could not obtain the requisite treatment or training at the correctional facility or another appropriate correctional facility; and (4) the designated facility to which transfer is sought could provide such treatment or training with such security as the court finds appropriate.

        While there is evidence that Mr. Morris has a mild mental problem, no evidence has been introduced to show that Mr. Morris is likely to cause serious harm to himself or others. There is nothing in the record indicating Mr. Morris has acted out or engaged in violent or destructive behavior while imprisoned. The record does not reflect that Mr. Morris has been taken advantage of by prison inmates or officials because of his mental health problem. There is also no evidence that Mr. Morris requires special mental health treatment or training that cannot be provided by the prison. In fact, the evidence has established that Mr. Morris does not need to be confined for treatment at the prison's psychiatric ward.   (See footnote 13)  All that Mr. Morris presented as evidence for his requested transfer was the fact that he has been mute since his arrest in 1991. This evidence falls well short of the requirements imposed by the legislature for effecting a transfer under W. Va. Code § 28-5- 31(b). To lower the statutory requirements to accommodate Mr. Morris opens the flood gates for every prison inmate to remain silent for a period of time, and thereafter seek a transfer to a mental health facility. Consequently, I see no basis for disturbing the circuit court's ruling that Mr. Morris failed to establish that he should be transferred to William Sharpe State Hospital. Thus, had the majority opinion addressed the issue actually raised by Mr. Morris, no relief should have been granted.

        When a convicted person in a jail, prison, or other facility is believed to be mentally ill, mentally retarded or addicted, as those terms are defined in article one, chapter twenty-seven of this code, and in need of treatment, training or other services, the facts relating to such illness, shall be presented to the chief administrative officer of the facility. Such facts may be presented by a correctional officer, member of a correctional institution medical staff, relative, or the convicted person. Immediately upon receipt of such facts, the chief administrative officer shall arrange for psychiatric or psychological examination of the person alleged to be so afflicted. If the report of the examination is to the effect that the individual is mentally ill, mentally retarded, or addicted and that treatment, training or other services are required which cannot reasonably be provided at the correctional facility, the chief administrative officer shall file within twenty days after presentation of the facts an application for transfer with the clerk of the circuit court of the county of location of the correctional facility. Such application for transfer shall include a statement of the nature of the treatment which the person's condition warrants and the facility to which transfer is sought.

        Within ten days of receipt of the application from the chief administrative officer, the mental hygiene commissioner or circuit judge shall appoint counsel for the convicted person if the person is indigent.

        The clerk of the circuit court shall forthwith notify the convicted person, by certified mail, return receipt requested, delivered only to addressee, that such application has been filed, enclosing therewith a copy of the application with an explanation of the place and purpose of the transfer and the type of treatment to be afforded, together with the name, address, and telephone number of any appointed counsel. The person shall be afforded reasonable telephone access to his counsel. The clerk shall also notify the superintendent or other chief administrative officer of the facility to which transfer is sought. Within fifteen days after receipt of notice, the convicted person, through counsel, shall file a verified return admitting or denying the allegations and informing the court or mental hygiene

commissioner as to whether the respondent wishes to oppose the transfer. Counsel shall file the return only after personal consultation with the convicted person. The superintendent of the facility to which transfer is sought shall also file a return within fifteen days of the receipt of notice, informing the court or mental hygiene commissioner as to whether the needed treatment or other services can be provided within that facility. If said superintendent objects to receiving the convicted person for treatment or services, the reasons for such objection shall be specified in detail.

        If the transfer is opposed by either the convicted person or by the superintendent of the facility to which transfer is sought, the matter shall forthwith be set for hearing, in no event to exceed thirty days from the date of the return opposing such transfer, and the clerk shall provide to the convicted person, the superintendent of the facility to which transfer is sought, and the superintendent of the correctional facility, at least ten days' written notice, by certified mail, return receipt requested, of the purpose, time and place of the hearing.

        The convicted person shall be present at the hearing, and be afforded an opportunity to testify and to present and cross-examine witnesses. Counsel for the convicted person shall be entitled to copies of all medical reports upon request. The person shall have the right to an examination by an independent expert of the person's choice and testimony from such expert as a medical witness on the person's behalf. The cost of providing such medical expert shall be borne by the state if the person is indigent. The person shall not be required to give testimony which is self-incriminating. The circuit court or mental hygiene commissioner shall hear evidence from all parties, in accord with the rules of evidence. A transcript or recording shall be made of all proceedings, and transcript made available to the person within thirty days, if the same is requested for the purpose of further proceedings, and without cost if the person is indigent.

        Upon completion of the hearing, and consideration of the evidence presented therein, the circuit court or mental hygiene commissioner shall make findings of facts as to whether or not (1) the individual is mentally ill, mentally retarded or addicted; (2) the individual because of mental illness, mental retardation or addiction is likely to cause serious harm to self or others; (3) the individual could not obtain the requisite treatment or training at the correctional facility or another appropriate correctional facility; and (4) the designated facility to which transfer is sought could provide such treatment or training with such security as the court finds appropriate; and, if all such findings are in the affirmative, the circuit court may order the transfer of such person to the appropriate facility. The findings of fact shall be incorporated into the order entered by the circuit court. In all proceedings hereunder, proof of mental condition and of likelihood of serious harm must be established by clear, cogent and convincing evidence, and the likelihood of serious harm must be based upon evidence of recent overt acts.