LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders elevated former Benton police officer Jamol Jones to chairman of the state Post-Prison Transfer Board, her second appointment to the Board of Corrections within the last month.
All while in the middle of a legal dispute over expansion and control of the prison system.
The chair of what used to be called the parole board automatically joins the Board of Corrections. Jones replaces John Felts, who will remain on the PPTB with a term scheduled to end in 2026.
"Jamol Jones is a former police officer and Army veteran," Spokesperson for the governor Alexa Henning said. "His prior law enforcement experience makes him a clear choice for this role... [Sanders] looks forward to continuing to work together to empower Arkansans with a safer, stronger state."
Jones arrives on the board while it squares off with the Sanders administration in two lawsuits, triggered when she and her former corrections secretary Joe Profiri pushed to expand the number of prison beds in the system.
When the governor vowed to test new powers granted to her by lawmakers, including in a sweeping crime bill that became the Arkansas Protect Act, the board pushed back by hiring a lawyer and challenging the constitutionality of the new laws.
Twice this month, lower court judges have sided with the board, and the members fired Profiri for what they called insubordination and being uncommunicative. Attorney General Tim Griffin said he plans to appeal the court rulings, and the governor named Profiri a special advisor on prisons in her office.
On Friday, lawmakers approved a $104,000 appropriation allowing the governor to roughly match Profiri's salary when he was the secretary.
"The Governor values Mr. Profiri’s decades-long law enforcement experience, and having him advise on policies that support law enforcement and keep Arkansans safe is a top priority," Henning said.
The appointment of Jones, along with the governor's naming of Brandon Tollett in December, is likely still not enough to change the balance of power on the seven-member board. Felts and Tollett voted against firing Profiri but lost 5-2, with chairman Benny Magness joining the majority even though, traditionally, a chairman only votes to break ties.
Jones should be in place for the next board meeting on Jan. 31. On the agenda is an update on expansion plans and renovations that might make it even more possible.