Sen. Stubblefield Questions Senate Support for Franklin County Prison
Sen. Stubblefield expresses doubts about funding and support for the Franklin County prison project during a recent event in Charleston
Franklin County, Arkansas, Sen. Gary Stubblefield, Prison Project, Funding, Legislature
He mentioned that the project needs way more funding than what’s currently allocated. Stubblefield talked to 17 senators, and they all said they would vote against it. So, he’s not too optimistic about securing the necessary funds.
The new legislative session kicks off on January 13. Stubblefield, who represents parts of Franklin, Logan, and Johnson Counties, was at an event organized by the Franklin County and River Valley Coalition. He’s one of the senior members in the state legislature.
Dr. Chris Jones, who ran against Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders in 2022, also spoke at the event. He encouraged folks to reach out to their representatives and share their stories. If they can’t attend meetings, he suggested sending someone else with their notes to make sure their voices are heard.
Usually, state legislators vote to transfer land for projects, but the Department of Corrections recently sidestepped this by leasing the land for just $1 a month.
While the Arkansas legislature has set aside $470 million for the prison, some believe that’s not enough. Citizens and their representatives, like Sen. Bryan King, are asking for more transparency about how they plan to build the prison with that budget.
Other estimates for similar-sized prisons in nearby states are around $1.5 billion. Plus, there’s no infrastructure in place to support such a project, which could drive costs even higher. Stubblefield pointed out that it currently costs about $70 a day to house one prisoner, which adds up quickly.
Stubblefield emphasized that this issue will be a big topic in the upcoming legislative session. He’s committed to seeing it through, saying, “I’m pretty bullheaded, myself.”
Jones echoed the need for determination, reminding everyone that their coalition matters. He urged them to keep fighting against the project, as people are watching how they come together.
Stubblefield also mentioned that the situation could have been handled better if the governor’s office had reached out to him or other representatives earlier. He expressed his commitment to the people he represents, stating, “I work for you, not the governor or the rest of the senate.”