LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Department of Corrections and Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders are under fire following the controversial purchase of 815 acres in Franklin County for a proposed 3,000-bed prison. The $2.95 million land acquisition has drawn criticism for its lack of transparency, leaving local residents and officials feeling excluded from the planning process.
Calls for Accountability
A coalition of Franklin County residents is demanding an investigation and the removal of several state officials, including Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA) President Mark Conine, Chief Legal Counsel Jake Bleed, and Division of Building Authority Director Anne Laidlaw.
Emails obtained by the coalition suggest that ADFA leadership concealed the land’s intended use from their board of directors, raising concerns about a deliberate effort to sidestep public scrutiny.
“When an administration prioritizes secrecy, it erodes trust and creates the perception of a sinister agenda,” said Joey McCutchen, an attorney representing the coalition.
Questionable Viability of the Site
Critics argue that the chosen site does not meet the state’s initial criteria for a prison due to inadequate infrastructure, workforce availability, and accessibility. Anne Laidlaw, the state’s Division of Building Authority director, reportedly expressed doubts about the site’s viability in communications with the governor’s office.
“They’re trying to fit a square peg into a round hole,” said coalition member Adam Watson.
Additionally, ADFA’s decision to lease the land to the Department of Corrections for $1 annually, instead of transferring ownership, has sparked accusations of circumventing legislative oversight.
Rising Costs and Legislative Pushback
The project’s estimated cost, initially set at $470 million, has escalated, with projections now exceeding $1 billion. Critics, including State Sen. Bryan King (R-District 28), warn that taxpayers will bear the financial burden of the rushed project.
“It seems they’re trying to start construction as quickly as possible to lock the state into this commitment,” Watson said.
Sen. King, alongside State Sen. Gary Stubblefield, has called for a Judiciary Committee hearing to investigate the state’s handling of the purchase. However, Senate President Bart Hester (R-District 33) has delayed action, suggesting the issue should wait until the legislative session in January.
Political Divisions
The controversy has deepened political divides. Sen. Hester dismissed King’s demands, accusing him of aligning with “the extreme left” to oppose the prison project.
Despite the backlash, Hester defended the need for the new prison, stating, “Public safety is the government’s number one responsibility, and there would be opposition no matter where we put it.”
Next Steps
King and Stubblefield remain determined to seek answers, vowing to pursue a meeting with or without committee approval. Meanwhile, Franklin County residents continue to demand transparency and accountability from the state’s leadership.
The controversy underscores growing tensions over government transparency and the fiscal responsibility of large-scale projects in Arkansas.
