State Purchases Land in Charleston to Build New Prison

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Arkansas Department of Corrections Secretary Lindsay Wallace, Arkansas Board of Corrections Chairman Benny Magness, and other state and local officials today announced that the State of Arkansas has purchased land in Charleston to build a new prison.

“I promised the people of Arkansas we would address our state’s prison bed shortage and today, I’m announcing the first major investment in our state’s prison capacity since my dad was governor,” said Governor Sanders. “This new facility will help end our failed system of catch-and-early-release, and protect our communities by keeping violent offenders off our streets. For Charleston, Franklin County, and the River Valley, it will offer hundreds of permanent, recession-proof jobs and millions of dollars in investment.” 

“The Department of Corrections’ mission is to provide safety and hope for Arkansans, but we won’t accomplish that effectively without adequate bed capacity,” said Arkansas Secretary of Corrections Lindsay Wallace. “Working with Governor Sanders, our Department has opened more than 1,100 prison beds to alleviate our state’s longstanding bed shortage and we plan to open hundreds more soon. With this new facility, we will add even more beds and deliver on our promises to the people of Arkansas.”

“I have been proud to work with Governor Sanders to address the longstanding issues facing our corrections system and am grateful for her bold action to tackle Arkansas’ prison bed shortage with this new facility,” said Arkansas Board of Corrections Chairman Benny Magness.“This facility demonstrates all our commitment to building a better prison system and a safer state.”

“Governor Sanders is committed to ending Arkansas’ failed system of catch-and-early-release and this new facility will be a major step toward solving that problem,” said Joe Profiri. “I look forward to working with our state and local partners to ensure this facility delivers safety to the people of Arkansas and economic growth to the City of Charleston.”

“A new prison providing significant additional prison capacity for the State is critical for the implementation of the Protect Act, which will make all Arkansans safer. Our county jails are filled with felons who should be in state prisons. This means we can’t jail those who commit misdemeanors, and the misdemeanor offenders know it. I appreciate the leadership of the Governor and General Assembly in prioritizing the safety of Arkansans,” said Attorney General Tim Griffin.

“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,” said Speaker of the House Matthew Shepherd. “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.”

“Today’s announcement shows a continued support from Arkansas’ legislature and Governor Sanders for public safety,” said Arkansas Senate President Bart Hester. “With safe streets, great schools, and Arkansas’s natural resources, Arkansas will continue to attract good high paying jobs that are fleeing states that that are not committed to these same priorities.”

“Thank you, Governor Sanders, for ensuring repeat violent offenders remain off our streets and making sure Arkansans’ safety is our priority,” said Senator Ben Gilmore. “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.”

“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,” said Representative Jimmy Gazaway. 

“The County Judges of Arkansas are grateful for the commitment by the Governor and our state legislators to increasing the bed capacity for state inmates. This will help alleviate the burden in our county detention centers. In freeing up local bed space, our deputies and officers will be better positioned to provide increased safety in our communities,” said Rusty McMillon, Greene County Judge and County Judges Association of Arkansas President.

“The Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association would like to extend our gratitude to Governor Sanders and the dedicated legislators who have worked tirelessly to bring the new prison to fruition in the great state of Arkansas. Your dedication and commitment to improving public safety and strengthening our correctional infrastructure is invaluable to our communities. Again, Thank you for your steadfast commitment to the citizens of Arkansas. Your efforts are truly appreciated by the Sheriffs and their communities across the state,” said Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association Executive Director Scott Bradley.

The state purchased this secluded, 815-acre property for $2,950,000 today after a months-long search. This parcel offers the infrastructure needed for a new prison, including cell reception, water lines, electricity, and a nearby fire department, and is also close to more than 100,000 workers who could staff the new facility. The property is large enough to offer privacy to both neighbors and inmates.

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.

Arkansas currently has a shortage of more than 3,000 prison beds, requiring the state to spend almost $30 million each year to house inmates in county jails. Governor Sanders and her administration have worked to open up more than 1,100 prison beds to address this problem, but the shortage will persist until a new prison is built. In addition to burdening county governments with the challenges of long-term incarceration, the prison bed shortage also denies inmates the opportunity to access evidence-based programs in state prisons that fight addiction, promote mental health, and reduce recidivism.

The Board of Corrections must vote to approve the prison site before construction begins.