CHARLESTON, Ark. — Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the purchase of land in Franklin County to build a new state prison on Thursday, Oct. 31.
During a radio interview on 92.7 KDYN, the governor said the plan is to build the prison in Charleston, a city of over 2,500 according to U.S. Census data.
The land was purchased for $2.95 million on 815 acres. The property is "close to more than 100,000 workers who could staff the new facility," yet large enough to "offer privacy to both neighbors and inmates." Governor Sanders confirmed the prison would be located at the Old Breeden Farm.
"For Charleston, Franklin County, and the River Valley, it will offer hundreds of permanent, recession-proof jobs and millions of dollars in investment," Sanders said.
During the KDYN interview, Gov. Sanders said "These people can either be in this prison where they are guarded, or they can be in your community."
Despite the sentiment, Franklin County residents have voiced their concerns across social media.
Sanders went on to say her goal with the new prison is to address the state's prison bed shortage and end Arkansas's "failed system of catch-and-early-release."
Arkansas Secretary of Corrections Lindsay Wallace echoed the state's focus on increasing space in prisons. “The Department of Corrections’ mission is to provide safety and hope for Arkansans, but we won’t accomplish that effectively without adequate bed capacity,” Wallace said.
The release said that the state spends around $30 million every year due to housing inmates in county jails as a result of a 3,000-bed shortage in the state's prisons, a problem that wouldn't go away without a new prison.
In addition to the shortage having a negative effect on county governments, the release said that the prison bed shortage "denies inmates the opportunity to access evidence-based programs in state prisons that fight addiction, promote mental health, and reduce recidivism."
Arkansas Board of Corrections Chairman Benny Magness said the move will address the longstanding prison capacity problem in the Natural State, saying that he is "grateful for [Sanders'] bold action to tackle Arkansas' prison bed shortage."
“This facility demonstrates all our commitment to building a better prison system and a safer state," Magness said.
While the property cost just less than $3 million, the release said that the cost of the prison itself is not yet known.
"Though it is not yet possible to offer a full cost estimate for the new prison, this project will invest hundreds of millions of dollars in one-time construction spending in Charleston, creating thousands of jobs. Once the prison is complete, it will employ nearly 800 individuals at an average salary of more than $46,600, based on estimates, and will enhance Charleston’s roads, utilities, and infrastructure," the release said.
The Board of Corrections will have to vote to approve the prison site before construction on the project begins.
Below are statements from Arkansas politicians voicing support for the prison:
Speaker of the House Matthew Shepherd — “Public safety has been a priority for me and my colleagues since my early days in the legislature. Today’s announcement exemplifies the dedication the General Assembly and the Governor have to keeping our communities safe and secure. While we have also passed diversionary and rehabilitative options, construction of a new prison demonstrates our strong resolve to combat crime, protect Arkansans, and uphold accountability for our most dangerous offenders.”
Arkansas Senate President Bart Hester — “Today’s announcement shows a continued support from Arkansas’ legislature and Governor Sanders for public safety. With safe streets, great schools, and Arkansas’s natural resources, Arkansas will continue to attract good high paying jobs that are fleeing states that are not committed to these same priorities.”
Senator Ben Gilmore — “Thank you, Governor Sanders, for ensuring repeat violent offenders remain off our streets and making sure Arkansans’ safety is our priority. The Governor, Attorney General, and legislature further prove our commitment to law enforcement, the safety of Arkansans and to further economic growth in our state by addressing the critical need for more capacity.”
Representative Jimmy Gazaway — “The selection of this site marks a significant step toward alleviating the strain on our county jails while enhancing public safety across Arkansas. The selection of this site in Northwest Arkansas is a strategic move that not only addresses the urgent need for additional prison capacity but also ensures access to a skilled workforce and will create new jobs, boosting economic development for local residents."
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