By JOE MAY | The Southern Standard
After several years of discussing Clark County’s jail situation and at least one failed tax vote that would have expanded the current facility, the quorum court on Monday evening officially began the process of looking into a solution for future prisoner housing.
Sheriff Jason Watson addressed the court, giving members a copy of the Jail and Justice System Assessment made by the National Institute of Corrections Technical Assistance following a visit to the local facility in December 2024.
A major problem at the current jail is overcrowding, Watson said, noting that the facility, constructed in 1985, is rated for 49 inmates, but has held as many as 60 at a time or as few as 35. Most of the time, though, he said the inmate count “is in the forties.” On Monday, he said the jail had 43 inmates, with six being held elsewhere. One prisoner was being held for another county due to safety concerns.
Overcrowding is an issue faced by most counties in the state, Watson said, adding that officials must keep down the number of misdemeanor prisoners due to an abundance of those charged with felonies. Those prisoners who are not deemed dangerous are often released on ankle monitors, but since the public is aware that misdemeanor offenders often do not go to jail, there is a lack of respect for the judicial system leading many to commit more serious crimes, thinking they will not get jail time, he explained.
Justice of the Peace Vanilla Hannah agreed, noting that “reoccurring offenders” are also a problem because they know that by going to jail, they receive free housing, food and medical care.
“It’s something we have to stay on top of,” Watson said, adding that those who seek medical care in jail are only given medication for the time that they will be incarcerated, which cuts down on the amount spent on inmate medical bills.
Justice Michael Ankton asked if the assessment committee recommended a new jail for the county, to which Watson replied in the affirmative, stating that if the county proceeds with the option, the committee will come back to do a more in-depth study of the community to assess current and future facility needs.
“Where would the money for a new facility come from?” Hannah asked.
“We’re still working on that,” Watson replied.
Justice Jenna Scott said the county has been “treading water for years with our jail. It’s been a problem for a long time.” She then made a motion to begin the process of looking at a new jail by taking the committee’s recommendations as outlined in the report. Included in this would be requesting assistance from the NIC’s PONI program, which consists of three phases, according to information available online.
During the first phase, a 1-day meeting is held in which representatives from local government, the criminal justice system, and the community discuss detention-related problems, issues and solutions and then develop an action plan. The second phase involves an offsite training seminar to provide participants with a broad working knowledge of jail planning and facility development. The third phase provides technical assistance, consulting services and a review of design documents for jurisdictions seeking additional assistance.
The recommendations made by the committee are:
• Establish a committee to look at the situation comprised of representatives from various criminal justice “stakeholders” including veterans, mental health professionals and others;
• Continue looking for community punishment options that do not involve incarceration;
• Making sure that the repurposing of the current facility and or the construction of a new jail meets the community’s future needs;
• If it appears a new facility is warranted, the county should solicit the services of the PONI Program;
• Visit other facilities to determine the best fit for the local community.
Some justices expressed skepticism at voting on the issue as they had just received the jail assessment packet, but Scott reminded them that they had been largely aware of the contents since December. After some hesitation on the part of the court, Justice Andrea Angle seconded the motion.
“We’re not committing to a new jail or drastic changes — we’re getting started on the discussion,” Scott said. In the ensuing vote, only Hannah dissented. County Judge Troy Tucker said he would appoint a committee to begin the process.
In other law enforcement issues, in response to a question from Hannah, Watson stated that the county’s new combined 911 call center “is working great with no issues. The city [of Arkadelphia] and the county are working great together.”
Coordinator Fred Phillips agreed, noting that the city and county officially consolidated their dispatch services on Feb. 23 and, other than a few minor equipment issues, the new center “is moving forward and making progress.”
In other business, the court:
• Passed an ordinance appropriating $225,000 in extra tax revenues to the Economic Development Corp. of Clark County at the motion of Justices BJ Johns and Wayne Baumgardner.
• Heard Justice Zach Bledsoe outline a proposal that would amend a current ordinance requiring newspaper publication of potential county jobs to online publishing instead. After some discussion, Tucker said the measure first needed to go through the county’s personnel committee. Bledsoe then withdrew the motion so that it could come before that committee.
• Heard Tucker make the appointments to the court’s Personnel and Budget Committees. Scott will be the county’s representative to the Association of Arkansas counties.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
