LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Friday, the Arkansas Board of Corrections gave the green light to an 815-acre site designated for a new prison intended to house 3,000 inmates. This decision came despite considerable pushback from local residents and officials who felt they had been caught off guard by the state’s acquisition of the land.
The board approved the land purchase, which cost the state nearly $3 million. According to Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and correctional authorities, this new facility is essential to alleviate the overcrowding of state inmates currently housed in county jails. However, specifics regarding the total cost of constructing the prison and the timeline for its completion have not yet been disclosed. Last year, Sanders advocated for the addition of 3,000 prison beds, and the legislature allocated $330 million toward this initiative. Furthermore, $75 million initially earmarked for expanding an existing prison unit is also earmarked for this new project.
During a virtual meeting that attracted nearly 300 attendees, Chairman Benny Magness emphasized that the vote initiated various studies and considerations regarding the project. He acknowledged that while there might be a small chance the site could be deemed unsuitable, it was crucial to accept the site and proceed with necessary evaluations.
The land in Charleston, located approximately 106 miles (170 kilometers) northwest of Little Rock, was disclosed as purchased just last week. This sudden announcement stirred frustration among residents and local officials who were reportedly unaware of the purchase until just before it was made public. Rosemary Underwood, a local resident, voiced her concerns during a town hall meeting, insisting that a formal public hearing should have occurred before committing state funds to a project of such significance in Franklin County.
During the town hall, former Corrections Secretary Joe Profiri—now a senior advisor to Gov. Sanders—explained that the state had an option on the property for a period of 90 days before finalizing the deal. In her response to the board’s approval of the prison site, Sanders expressed gratitude and reassured the community of her commitment to collaborating with them throughout the construction process. She stated, “We have delayed this issue for far too long. It is time to invest in our prison system for the first time in two decades and tackle the failures of our early release system for violent offenders.”
One board member, Lee Watson, chose to abstain from the vote. He articulated his belief that further public discourse surrounding the purchase and site selection was necessary. Watson remarked, “Considering the magnitude of this decision, I do not feel that I have had adequate time to arrive at a well-considered conclusion.”