Costs and transparency concerns are top of mind for some legislators
The Arkansas Department of Corrections is facing more criticism after a fiery Joint Budget Committee meeting exposed failures in planning and transparency around the proposed Franklin County prison. Lawmakers from both parties expressed frustration and disbelief at the lack of basic due diligence, warning that the project’s billion-dollar guesstimate is a reckless use of taxpayer money.
“Would you give a contractor a blank check?”
Senator Gary Stubblefield, who represents the town of Charleston where the prison will be located, underscored the committee’s central concern: “Would you give a contractor a blank check and say ‘Go build this house’ before due diligence was done?”
That is precisely what Arkansas appears to have done. The Department of Corrections purchased the land for the prison before ensuring critical infrastructure needs — such as water, roads, and proximity to a major interstate — were available. Even a land assessment to determine whether or not the ground can hold the prison’s weight was done after the property’s purchase.
Senator Jimmy Hickey pointed out that, despite Joe Profiri’s claims of expertise in prison construction, the state failed to conduct a basic site survey before committing to the purchase. “The first thing anybody does…is make 100% sure that you’ve got the utilities to service the thing, to make sure there are no environmental concerns,” he said. “You basically have flubbed the purchase. It’s just insulting to me.”
Billion-Dollar boondoggle
When pressed for an exact cost, ex-Department of Corrections Secretary and current “advisor” Joe Profiri gave an estimate of $825 million but admitted he does not have a figure for what the entire project, including utilities, will cost taxpayers.
Representative Jim Wooten expressed alarm over the lack of clarity, emphasizing that taxpayers will be on the hook for more than just the construction; there are real concerns about maintenance costs in such a rural area, especially given the distance from a major interstate. Senator John Payton echoed this concern: “We’re talking about what could be a billion-dollar project, and we need confidence in how the decisions are going to be made.”
Members also noted that the state has struggled to staff existing prisons. Senator Terry Rice reminded the committee that just two years ago, Arkansas had available prison space that could not be utilized due to staffing shortages.
Same ‘ole lack of transparency and accountability
A consistent theme throughout the hearing was the absence of detailed planning documents. Senator Bryan King put it bluntly: “These prison building companies… provide nothing, nothing at all!” He went on to compare trusting the state’s prison contractors to trusting “Dracula running a blood drive.”
In addition to infrastructure and cost concerns, the prison’s location was called into question. Senator Stubblefield highlighted that Franklin County is 22 miles from the nearest interstate and lacks sufficient water supply, as Ozark’s limited resources are already stretched thin by industrial use. “Where is the water going to come from?” he asked. “Are they going to have to go all the way to Fort Smith to get it?” There are already reports of water shortages in the area from local farmers and ranchers.
What’s next?
Some Joint Budget Committee members made it clear that confidence in this project is eroding. Others maintained they never had confidence in the project in the first place. Multiple senators stated they would vote against the appropriation unless major concerns were addressed, but ultimately the bill passed.
If you haven’t yet, consider supporting Gravel & Grit, a grassroots alliance of rural Arkansans heavily involved in holding state government accountable, particularly around the Franklin Co. prison project. This group and others are doing the hard work to educate Arkansans on the dangers of non-transparent governing that does not serve the people it represents. Lawmakers are voicing the same concerns.
This fight is far from over. The people of Arkansas deserve a government that is transparent, fiscally responsible, and accountable to its citizens — not one that forces through a billion-dollar prison with no clear plan.
Take action
We urge Arkansas residents to contact their legislators, demand full transparency on the Franklin County prison project, and push for responsible decision-making. Join us in holding state leaders accountable and stopping this reckless misuse of taxpayer dollars.
Visit Gravel & Grit’s site to learn more and get involved.
