Arkansas Board of Corrections Moves Forward with Mega-Prison Plans
Little Rock, AR — The Arkansas Board of Corrections tentatively approved a substantial $57 million contract with architectural engineering firms HDR and Cromwell Architects Engineers to design a proposed 3,000-bed prison on 815 acres in Franklin County. The decision was made during the board’s recent meeting, with further discussions scheduled before June 10 to address any concerns regarding the contract’s presentation to a legislative subcommittee for further approval.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the state’s plan for the mega-prison in March 2023, with the Board of Corrections taking preliminary steps amid a challenging legislative landscape. While the design firms have been selected, local opposition persists, largely from Franklin County residents and Indigenous groups, who cite concerns over transparency, infrastructure, and potential impacts on burial sites.
Despite a failed $750 million appropriation bill that would have funded the prison’s total projected cost of $825 million, state officials indicated they could still move forward. An existing $75 million allocation from 2022 and an additional $330 million set aside this year remain available for use. However, the Senate President Pro Tempore expressed skepticism about holding a special session to revisit the funding issue.
Board members voiced concerns about funding constraints and the implications of dividing the project scope over time. The contract provides a “pay as you go” arrangement, allowing the state to withdraw with seven days’ notice if necessary.
The Legislative Council’s Review subcommittee will convene on June 17 to consider the HDR-Cromwell contract before its finalization. The project continues to garner attention amid ongoing debates about the state’s criminal justice infrastructure and community impacts.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
