LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The state’s plan to build a 3,000-bed prison in Franklin County is under intense scrutiny once again as local citizens and some lawmakers question the suitability of the proposed site. During a state legislature’s Joint Performance Review Committee meeting, Franklin County residents voiced concerns about the site selection process.
Natalie Cadena, representing the non-profit organization Gravel and Grit, said, “From our perspective this project has been the perfect storm of lack of transparency, executive overreach, incompetence, and dishonesty.” Cadena and Adam Watson, also from Gravel and Grit, presented findings suggesting the state did not adequately assess Franklin County as the right location for the prison.
Adam Watson said, “We strongly believe that what we know, plainly constitutes smoke, and we’re asking the committee to determine whether or not they’re associated fires.” The organization highlighted alleged inconsistencies in the state’s site selection process, noting the site barely meets criteria such as an adequate water source.
Rep. Jim Wooten expressed concerns, stating, “You didn’t check the water flow for the drillers, the fire wasn’t looked at, the electrical supply wasn’t looked at, the soil was not tested. Did y’all test the soil?”
State officials, including Shelby Johnson, Director of the Division of Geographic Information Systems, defended the selection. Johnson said, “Yes, sir I am, especially after reading the consultant’s report,” asserting confidence in the site’s selection based on a consultant’s report.
However, Rep. Jon S. Eubanks highlighted the lack of community support, saying, “Well, I think one of the things that had been brought out was the need for community buy-in and I mean, it’s apparent that that didn’t take place.”
Despite the ongoing debate, state lawmakers did not approve the $750 million needed to begin construction, and no decisions were made at the meeting. Rep. Jim Wooten concluded, “I am for a prison. We need one. But the location that we’ve picked is the wrong one.”
