An expansion plan for the Saline County jail would provide about 100 additional beds

Saline County, Arkansas – Plans by Saline County to enlarge the correctional facility are now underway.
The sheriff claims that this project, which has been in the works for a number of years, will significantly increase safety in the developing area.

Sheriff Rodney Wright of Saline County said, “We don’t have enough beds, so we can’t handle the numerous misdemeanor crimes that we have.”

The Saline County jail has been experiencing overpopulation for some time. There are currently 234 beds in the jail. There will be 316 in all when the project is completed.

“We have to make sure that we have the capacity so that when people choose, and I say the word choose because people choose to break the law, we have to have the capacity to make sure there’s going to be consequences and repercussions for those actions,” Sheriff Wright said.

The jail has not added beds in fourteen years. The county judge stated that finishing this project is essential due to the increase in population.

“Although it will lower the ratio, these 82 beds are not where we need to be. “It’s just what we can afford,” Judge Matt Brumley of Saline County stated.

The approximate cost of the project is $8.5 million. A few new jailer posts will be introduced in addition to the expansion.

“We want to make sure if you come to this county and you want to break the law, we have a bed space for you,” Sheriff Wright said.

The county anticipates that by this time next year, the expansion will be finished.

Judge Brumley stated that although there isn’t a timeframe yet, plans are already in place for the county jail’s next phase of growth.