CHARLESTON, Ark — Arkansas residents have come together and established a coalition to fight plans to build a 3,000-bed prison in Franklin County, and shared on Nov. 15 that they had acquired legal counsel.
Plans for the prison were first announced on Oct. 31 alongside news that the state had already purchased land at the desired location for just less than $3 million.
Sanders said that her goal with the new prison is to address the state's prison bed shortage and end Arkansas's "failed system of catch-and-early-release," adding that the development will offer hundreds of recession-proof jobs.
Despite the governor's sentiment, residents and local leaders alike have since been outspoken in their opposition to the plans and how it came about, which led to a town hall on Nov. 7 attended by state officials.
Hundreds attended and made their feelings about the plan clear. However, the next morning, the Board of Corrections voted to move forward with a 5-1 vote to approve the land purchase.
The newly announced Franklin County and River Valley Coalition (FCRVC) is now taking aim at the governor's plans to build a prison in the area, announcing on Nov. 15 that a local lawyer will serve as their legal counsel as they seek to stop it.
"[FCRVC] is pleased to announce that Mr. Joey McCutchen, The Law Firm, will be representing the coalition as we prepare to explore legal, legislative, and political options concerning the proposed prison in Franklin County," the release said.
The release claims that the prison's cost could exceed $1 billion and that taxpayers will foot the bill.
Opponents of the plans have said since the announcement that the prison will negatively affect the way of life in the region.
"These communities are grounded in faith, family, and tradition, fiercely proud of the simple, good life they’ve built," the coalition's website said. "Franklin County is more than a place; it’s a way of life, one that those who call it home will fiercely protect."
McCutchen has said previously on social media that he believes the decision to build the prison was made in secrecy.
5NEWS has requested emails between the governor's office and the Board of Corrections via the Freedom of Information Act, but that request was denied.
The website, which can be found here, includes links to donation sites where the coalition is seeking financial support.
Watch 5NEWS on YouTube.
Download the 5NEWS app on your smartphone:
Stream 5NEWS 24/7 on the 5+ app: How to watch the 5+ app on your streaming device
To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com and detail which story you're referring to.