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The Arkansas Board of Corrections recently made headlines after rejecting a request to expand prison capacity due to severe staffing shortages and existing crowding. In a letter to the governor and attorney general, board Chairman Benny Magness explained the reasons behind the decision.
The rejection of the request, which aimed to temporarily expand the prison system’s capacity by 622 beds, came after a press conference where Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Attorney General Tim Griffin criticized the corrections board for their decision. Sanders claimed that the board rejected the expansion plan “for no good reason whatsoever” and urged the board to call an emergency meeting to reconsider the request.
Magness, however, clarified in his letter that the board had not received a formal request to call a special meeting and emphasized the board’s independence from the administration and the Legislature. The key reasons for rejecting the request were severe staffing shortages, with some facilities having over one-third of open positions unfilled.
Magness stressed the dangers of overcrowded and understaffed prisons, stating that it is a “recipe for catastrophe.” With the state prison system already above capacity, the board expressed concerns about the potential human harm and additional litigation that could result from dangerous prison situations.
The board had previously approved a request to add more than 450 beds at existing community corrections facilities, but the latest request was turned down due to the lack of information needed to make an informed decision. Magness emphasized that the Division of Corrections lacks the resources to overcrowd prisons and taking such actions without a fully vetted plan would be unethical and reckless.
As the criticisms from the governor and attorney general continued, Magness also raised concerns about recent attempts by the governor and the Legislature to limit the board’s independence, putting the administration and lawmakers at odds with the board’s constitutional responsibilities. He referred to specific acts that purported to amend various statutes relating to the board’s powers, undermining the separation of powers required by the Arkansas Constitution.
Overall, the board’s decision to reject the request for prison expansion was made in consideration of the severe staffing shortages and existing overcrowding, with a focus on upholding the safety and security of both staff and inmates. Magness also emphasized the importance of open communication with administration officials and expressed hope for support at the next fiscal session.
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