Violence in Arkansas’ prisons

Arkansas’ prisons have seen a rise in violent incidents starting in July. The prisons are grappling with rising gang activity, frequent turnover of corrections officers and contraband such as cell phones and synthetic marijuana, says Director Wendy Kelley.

The Arkansas State Police have conducted 42 death investigations so far this year, compared with 29 in all of 2016 and 22 in 2015.

The state police also are investigating 28 assaults by prisoners on staff so far this year, compared with 29 in 2016 and 23 in 2015.

Contraband investigations total 28 so far this year, compared with 25 in 2016 and 15 in 2015.