Jackson County covets prison

Five counties formally express interest in 1,000-bed lockup

Jackson County is joining at least four other Arkansas counties that have expressed interest in seeking the construction of a state prison in their respective areas.

The Newport Economic Development Commission plans to submit an application to request that the Arkansas Department of Correction consider building a 1,000-bed lockup on the eastern side of Newport. The Jackson County Quorum Court approved a resolution supporting the commission's plan Thursday evening, County Judge Jeff Phillips said.

Jackson County joins Mississippi and Lawrence counties and a joint effort by Columbia and Ouachita counties in wanting the prison, which is projected to cost $100 million.

So far, only the Mississippi County Economic Opportunity Commission actually has submitted a proposal, said Arkansas Department of Correction spokesman Shea Wilson.

The prison, with an estimated annual budget of $38 million, would create more than 250 jobs, department officials said.

"This would be good for our county," Phillips said of the potential for getting a state prison in Newport. "That many new jobs would be great."

Jon Chadwell, executive director of the Newport Economic Development Commission, said construction of a prison in Newport would create more employment opportunities in the area.

"We want to diversify the economy," he said. "We've got retailers and manufacturers. State jobs would just add to this."

Chadwell said he formed a committee made up of Phillips, Newport Mayor David Stewart, Newport Area Chamber of Commerce representatives, attorneys, members of the Correction Department's Grimes and McPherson units, and civic leaders.

"We brought them all together so we could hear their concerns and all be on the same page," Chadwell said. "We had no negative reaction to the proposal at all."

Chadwell said although other communities may express concerns about having a state prison nearby, Newport has experience with the Grimes and McPherson units -- state prisons for men and women, respectively -- that opened near the town about 14 years ago.

"Our community knows the myths about prisons," he said. "We've never had a serious problem. I think we've seen what [the units] have done for our community. They've given us good jobs with good benefits."

Wilson said communities have until Oct. 24 to submit "expressions of interest" to the Correction Department.

The state wants to build a new prison because of overcrowding in its 19 units, which include four work-release centers.

The state prisons house more than 15,000 inmates. Another 2,200 state inmates are currently held in county jails awaiting transfer to state lockups.

"We've been getting calls from all over the state about the application," Wilson said. "At some point, after Oct. 24, a committee will review the applications and go forward from there."

Officials in Mena in Polk County were interested in sending in an application before changing their mind, Wilson said.

"Right now, it's wide open where it will go," she said.

Lawrence County Judge Dale Freeman said he will send in his "expression of interest" soon.

The county is offering 400 acres near Portia on the north-central edge of the county for the prison site.

"I wish they would pick us," Freeman said. "It would be great for our area."

Chadwell said he wasn't deterred by neighboring Lawrence County and nearby Mississippi County also showing interest in the new prison.

"I think it shows we have a strong area in northeast Arkansas," he said. "If you wanted to buy a house in a [certain] price range, who would you want? A Realtor who has one house in that range or one who has 12 houses? This gives the Department of Correction more choices.

"If we don't make the final cut and Lawrence County does, we'll throw all our weight and support to them if it comes down to it," Chadwell said. "But at first start, we will all go our own routes."

State Desk on 09/15/2014

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