Petition launched opposing planned state prison near Charleston

The news of a new prison being built in Charleston has not been a welcome revelation to many in the area with almost 1,700 people signing a petition asking state officials to build a planned 3,000-bed prison somewhere else.

Tonya Carruth started a petition opposing the construction of a prison in Franklin County/Mill Creek Mountain on Change.org Thursday (Oct. 31) stating that “residents of Franklin county, Sebastian county, and Logan county, urgently request your support in opposing the construction of a prison within our beloved community.”

As of 3 p.m. Friday (Nov. 1), 1,697 people had signed the petition, commenting they were afraid the prison would change a safe way of life they have experienced in the vicinity for decades.

“Our small towns, known for their peaceful atmosphere, tight-knit community, and rich local heritage, stand at risk of being permanently altered by the placement of such a facility,” Carruth said in the petition.

Gov. Sarah Sanders, Arkansas Department of Corrections Secretary Lindsay Wallace, Arkansas Board of Corrections Chairman Benny Magness, and other state and local officials announced Thursday that the state has purchased land in Charleston to build a 3,000-bed prison.

The state purchased the 815-acre property for $2.95 million after a months-long search. According to the governor’s office, this parcel offers the infrastructure needed for a new prison, including cell phone reception, water lines, electricity, and a nearby fire department. The owners of the property were not disclosed by government officials.

The property is large enough to offer privacy to neighbors and inmates, according to state officials.

One of the reasons for the western Arkansas site selection was to avoid placing the prison in an area where additional prisons already exist, which could affect potential workforce options. Once the prison is complete, it will employ nearly 800 individuals at an average salary of more than $46,600, based on estimates.

The petition states that the decision to build a prison near Charleston would have significant, lasting impacts on the community that go beyond the immediate concerns of safety and security.

“The presence of a prison would forever change the character of our neighborhoods, affecting property values, local businesses, tourism, and our overall quality of life,” the petition states.

Key concerns listed included community safety, economic and social impact, strain on local resources, impact on community identity,

“While we recognize the importance of security measures, the possibility of incidents such as escapes or external disturbances introduces a level of risk our small town is neither prepared for nor willing to bear,” the petition states.

It noted that an influx of people connected to the facility, whether as employees or family members visiting inmates, would place undue strain on the area’s limited infrastructure and local services.

“We understand the necessity of corrections facilities but believe that our small, rural community is neither a suitable nor beneficial location for such an establishment. We respectfully urge the state to consider alternative locations that do not disrupt small communities, pose potential risks to citizens, or undermine local economies,” the petition states.

Shannon McChristian wrote a letter to Gov. Sanders explaining her opposition to the prison.

“The prison you announced will be a platform you no doubt will shout loudly from – jobs, money, booming economy. I can only imagine the dreams and promises that have been fed to you by your advisors, important people in your life,” the letter stated. “Let me take just one minute of your valuable time to tell you about the important people in MY life – my parents. They have worked for sixty plus years – blood, sweat and tears – sacrificing things that you probably take for granted every day to leave our family a legacy on Millcreek Mountain. A legacy you reduced to ashes in one day. Not only will our property values be nothing now, but more importantly, our lifelong sanctuary is gone. It brings tears to my eyes just writing those words.”

“The governor and her staff have been in contact with local leaders and will continue to listen to local input as the state constructs a prison that will bring hundreds of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in investment to Franklin County while building a safer, stronger Arkansas,” said Sam Dubke, a spokesperson for Gov. Sanders.

Talk Business & Politics has attempted to contact officials in Charleston and Franklin County for comment.