ARKANSAS, USA — The Arkansas Board of Corrections named Division of Corrections Deputy Director William Straughn as their point of contact for the new prison project in Franklin County.
The board voted unanimously on the decision during Monday's meeting, selecting Straughn to liaise with Vanir Construction, the California-based firm contracted by the state to oversee the prison’s construction.
Straughn, who currently serves as the deputy director for institutions within the DOC, oversees facilities in Tucker, Newport, Calico Rock, and Marianna.
Board Chair Benny Magness requested the vote be held at the end of the meeting. Before voting, the board spent approximately an hour and forty minutes in the executive session.
During the meeting, board members also discussed initiatives aimed at reducing recidivism, like expanding options for inmates to earn credentials and certificates. They emphasized the importance of keeping track of when timing, noting that inmates who receive certifications closer to their release date are more likely to succeed post-incarceration. However, officials acknowledged that there is currently no system in place to track this effectively.
Staffing concerns were also a focal point, particularly at the Texarkana facility, where discussions included the possibility of shifting employees to 12-hour shifts to address shortages. The board highlighted ongoing efforts to provide better resources for pregnant inmates, including facilities for post-pregnancy bonding under the Protect Arkansas Act. Additionally, members explored the potential expansion of transitional housing programs to better support inmates as they reintegrate into society.
Vanir Construction is tasked with helping the state move forward on the Franklin County prison project, which has been a key initiative for the state’s corrections system since its announcement on Oct. 31.
Plans for the prison were first announced on Oct. 31, along with the news that the state had already purchased the land for the proposed 3,000-bed facility for just under $3 million.
State Sen. Bryan King told 5NEWS he has concerns with the rapid progression of the Franklin County prison project.
"Anybody can see this should concern every Arkansan that they're moving way too fast on such a big project with so many unknowns about the dollar fee, dollar figure, how many beds, and how's this going to service and work for all of Arkansas," King said.
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