The future of a proposed state prison in Franklin County remains uncertain, but Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ office says reports of the project’s cancellation are premature. Questions surrounding the site resurfaced following internal discussions, though no official decision has been made to abandon the project.
State Sen. Bryan King, who represents Senate District 28 and has consistently opposed the location, argues the site is unsuitable for a large facility. "Anybody with a construction IQ above 10 that looked at this reasonably would see this location was not a good location to build a mega prison facility for multiple reasons," King said. He raised concerns from the outset about whether the Franklin County location would be financially sustainable and provide an effective long-term solution for public safety.
Sam Dubke, communications director for Gov. Sanders, emphasized that internal discussions do not establish state policy. "Governor Sanders still believes that a new prison in Franklin County is the best opportunity for the state to grow its prison bed capacity but will continue to pursue other ways to build a safer, stronger Arkansas," Dubke stated. Those alternatives include expanding beds at existing facilities and implementing the Recidivism Reduction Pilot Program, aimed at addressing persistent issues in correctional systems.
Since taking office, Sanders has overseen the addition of 1,500 prison beds at existing facilities, with plans for further capacity increases. Despite his opposition to the Franklin County site, King acknowledged the need for expanded inmate housing in Arkansas. He suggested focusing on adding capacity at existing facilities or exploring other regions, such as Northwest Arkansas, which would allow inmates to stay closer to their home areas and reduce transportation challenges.
"We need to get out of this mindset of building one mega facility because you can see other states; those are financial disasters and do not serve the best interests of the citizens," King said.
The proposed Franklin County prison has been a topic of contention for years, sparking debate over its economic and logistical feasibility. While speculation continues, officials emphasize that any decision will require further consideration by both the governor’s office and the Arkansas legislature.