Franklin County Prison Project Paused, Other Options Explored

FRANKLIN COUNTY, AR. - Plans for a large new prison in Franklin County have been put on hold for several months, according to state officials. The project, which would have built a 3,000-bed facility on 815 acres, was first announced by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders last year.

Since the announcement, the proposal has faced strong pushback from local residents and some lawmakers. Concerns have been raised about the project's costs, how it would affect local water supplies and roads, and whether it could become an immigration detention center. The Chickamauga Nation also voiced worries about cultural and burial grounds in the area.

Despite the governor's continued belief that Franklin County is the best spot for a new prison, her office admits that lawmakers aren't currently ready to support the project. Rand Champion, a spokesperson for the Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADOC), confirmed that no major work is happening at the site, only basic maintenance.

With the Franklin County project stalled, state officials are now looking at other ways to increase prison space. One idea gaining attention again is expanding the Benny Magness Unit (formerly the North Central Unity) in Calico Rock, which currently holds 800 inmates. This expansion could add about 500 new beds.

Lee Watson, a member of the Board of Corrections, suggested that adding beds to existing prisons like Calico Rock is a more practical and affordable solution than building one massive new facility. The governor's latest budget proposal for future years includes money for prison expansion but specifically states that these funds cannot be used to build a new prison in Franklin County. Lawmakers are waiting for more details on where this money should go to solve the state's need for more prison space.