Arkansas has acquired land in Charleston for $2.95 million to construct a new prison aimed at alleviating the backlog of state inmates in county jails, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Thursday. Located 106 miles northwest of Little Rock, the 815-acre site is expected to create hundreds of permanent jobs. Before construction begins, the Arkansas Board of Corrections must approve the site, marking a significant step in the state's effort to reform its correctional system.
The governor, a Republican, has championed the initiative, which sets aside $330 million for 3,000 additional prison beds, with another $75 million available from a previous expansion plan. Currently, around 2,500 state inmates are held in county jails. The upcoming facility will employ nearly 800 people, offering an average salary exceeding $46,600. Sanders emphasized the project's role in curbing the "failed system of catch-and-early-release" and enhancing public safety by detaining violent offenders.
The project progresses amidst Arkansas' ongoing legal battles over the control of its prison system. Sanders clashed with the Board of Corrections last year over system governance, but her legislative changes, including the eradication of parole for certain violent crimes, face criticism over potential exacerbation of prison overcrowding. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
,
uBlock 
,
and
Ghostery 
)
