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Arkansas purchases 815 acres of land for nearly $3 million to build new prison

Arkansas Purchases 815 Acres of Land for New Prison

State to Spend $2.9 Million on Land Acquisition

Expansion Needed to Address Overcrowding

The Arkansas Department of Correction (ADC) has announced the purchase of 815 acres of land in Pulaski County for the construction of a new prison facility. The land, which was purchased for $2.9 million, will house a maximum-security prison with a capacity of 1,200 inmates.

The new prison is needed to address the state's growing prison population. The ADC currently operates 14 prisons and one community correction center, which house a total of over 17,000 inmates. The system is operating at over 100% capacity, with some prisons housing inmates in double bunks and on cots in common areas.

The new prison is expected to cost approximately $100 million to build and will be located on a site adjacent to the existing Cummins Unit in Grady. Construction is expected to begin in 2023 and be completed by 2025.

The ADC has stated that the new prison will create approximately 200 new jobs and will help to reduce overcrowding in the state's prison system. The prison will also include educational and vocational training programs for inmates.

The purchase of the land for the new prison has been met with mixed reactions. Some residents have expressed concerns about the impact of the prison on the community, while others have welcomed the new jobs and economic development opportunities that the prison will bring.

The ADC has stated that it will work with the community to address any concerns and to ensure that the new prison is a positive addition to the area.