Arkansas Board of Corrections outlines plans, steps to increase capacity in state prisons

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Arkansas Board of Corrections has announced its plans to add capacity to the state prison system and willingness to work with the governor.

A board spokesperson said in a Tuesday release that the board has begun moving inmates into the Tucker Work Release facility. The facility was formerly for reentry programs but will now house 124 inmates assigned to work release or who are otherwise minimum-security.

The spokesperson said this is one of several expansions the board has planned, listing three additional sites nearing completion.

Officials said the reconstructed White River Correctional Center in Batesville is adding 170 beds. The Southeast Community Correction Center in Texarkana will soon have an additional 70 beds available and the McPherson Unit in Newport will soon add 244 beds.

Total additions, including Tucker and beds nearing completion, are 608.

Officials said the expansions will help reduce the number of inmates being held in county jails.

In November 2023, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders requested 500 additional beds in the state prison system to relieve the strain on county jails housing state inmates. The board could not immediately comply, opening only 160 beds at the time, citing staffing levels, leading to months of wrangling between the governor’s office and the board.

The Tuesday release continued that the board and Corrections Secretary Lindsay Wallace were working to realign staff to assist the governor in her mission to create safer communities and efficiencies within state government.

Sanders had signed legislation earlier in 2023 to add a 3,000-bed prison to the state system. The Tuesday release continued that the board’s was willing to work with the governor’s office to develop that prison.

“To that end, Chairman Magness and Secretary Wallace are actively participating alongside representatives from Governor Sanders office in selection of an Owner’s Representative, who will provide advice and consultation with respect to design, engineering, and construction of a new 3,000 bed facility,” the release stated.

In its most recent report, for March, the Division of Corrections shows a 44.66% staffing vacancy rate.

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