“Regional Jail” Moving Forward with Drew & Bradley Counties + State Inmates
September 28th, 2017 by
After 2 years of discussion, with up to 5 area counties being involved in its operation, the Southeast Arkansas Regional Jail seems to be moving forward with only Drew and Bradley Counties, along with the state of Arkansas, planning to contract for inmate bedspace.
Theoretically, it will no longer be a “regional jail”, but it will certainly serve its purpose for Drew and Bradley Counties., regardless of its official name.
Recently, 5 county judges met with state representative Jeff Wardlaw, to discuss the proposed 600-bed facility that has been described as a regional jail, but is actually a privately owned and operated prison.
In recent weeks,Chicot, Lincoln and Cleveland Counties have withdrawn from the project.
The facility would hold 500 state inmates, with up to 100 beds serving the local participating counties.
Last month, Judge Akin told reporters that Bowie County, Texas holds approximally 300 Arkansas prisoners, that would be transferred to the proposed facility. This would provide Arkansas jobs, to local residents. 50 beds would be expected to hold parole/probation violators. The remaining 100 beds could be used to house inmates from Southeast Arkansas counties.
State officials have stated that this facility would not include maximum-security prisoners.
Judge Akin earlier commented, “Drew County has a 43-bed jail and spends $60 a day to hold each inmate.
It comes down to dollars and cents. With 600 inmates, instead of 40, their buying power becomes like Walmart or Amazon, for buying food and supplies.”
Currently there is no jail in Bradley County, who transport their inmates to another county jail for holding.
It is expected that the private prison operators will ask for a 20-year contract, to construct the facility. Under act 1206 of 2015, a 20 year contract would be allowed by state law.
In a separate interview, Judge Akin described the high number of parole and probation violators that are still on the street, due to lack of bed space in the prisons. This was to explain that having more jail bed space could have a significant impact on reducing local crimes.
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