06-05-2025
Arkansas Sen. Bryan King sends letter to governor asking for prison plan changes
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The plan to build a new prison in Franklin County received pushback on Monday from a state legislator.
Sen. Bryan King (R-Green Forest) sent a letter to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders asking for the reallocation of funds for the Franklin County Prison Project to shift to expanding a different prison facility.
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King is opposed to the proposed Franklin County prison.
'If you're going to build a mega-prison in a community, it's going to change their DNA,' King said about the planned 3,000-bed prison.
The letter urged a new approach.
During a 2023 legislative session, lawmakers approved $75 million in capital improvement funds for the Department of Corrections. That money is now being used to lay the groundwork for a prison in Franklin County. A bill to provide the additional funding needed for the $825 million facility was withdrawn during the 2025 legislative session after it failed to pass in six successive Senate votes.
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King said the $75 million was intended to expand the existing facility at the 700-bed North Central Unit at Calico Rock in Izard County, a plan he believes would be both faster and more cost-effective.
'There are much better solutions out there economically to address the overcrowding issue,' King said.
Franklin County local Adam Watson supports Senator King's letter.
'The people don't want the project in its current iteration. It doesn't mean they're against building a prison,' Watson said. 'This iteration of the prison project is shortsighted, is going to cost everybody way too much money, and not going to be a success in its current form.'
Arkansas Dept. of Corrections outlines new budget toward Franklin County prison plan
Sanders said previously that the state needs more prison capacity and that Franklin County is the best location for a new prison. She said there is widespread support for the prison among legislators and local officials across the state.
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