ARKANSAS, USA — The Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA) bought 815 acres in Franklin County for $2.95 million in October to build a 3,000-bed state prison. Instead of transferring the land to the Arkansas Department of Corrections, ADFA leased it for $1 a year, bypassing the need for legislative approval.
"It was our understanding ... that the legislature would have to vote to approve the transfer of the land from ADFA to the Department of Corrections (DOC)," Arkansas Sen. Greg Leding said. "It did seem like there would be a chance for lawmakers to weigh in on this purchase."
Arkansas Sen. Bryan King, who represents a portion of Franklin County, called the deal deceptive.
"This is more about deception and just flat-out dishonesty the way this whole deal has been done," King said. "That should concern every Arkansan because every taxpayer is going to be impacted by the financial impact of this."
Board of Corrections Attorney Thomas Burns said the short-term lease allows for early utility work before breaking ground within the year.
"One of the board members, Lee Watson, made it to where it wasn't a just lease in perpetuity," Burns said. "It's not a long-term lease. It's just 12 months while the DOC can go out there and start taking care of some things."
King has called a hearing to discuss this issue during the 2025 legislative session, emphasizing the need for transparency and long-term solutions to prison expansions.
"This whole thing needs a holistic approach, and we need honest, straightforward answers first. But, we've got to look at the whole problem because if we don't look down the road, we're just going to be building another prison, and another prison, and another prison."
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