The detention center facts

There has been a lot of discussion lately about the Garland County Detention Center. The county leadership hopes to eliminate any concerns by working together to ensure that this award-winning facility remains the best local detention center in the state of Arkansas.

As sheriff, I have ultimate responsibility for the daily operations of the multimillion-dollar detention center and to ensure the safety of inmates, detention center employees and the public. I appreciate the public’s support and concerns because we all remember that the old jail was outdated, overcrowded and unsafe. A new facility had to be built.

Now four years after opening the new facility we have reached another critical juncture, whether or not to open an additional housing unit. Thankfully, because of the foresight of the county citizens, leaders, the county judge and the quorum court a larger than necessary detention center was built and we do not have a major crisis or a need to rebuild.

We are looking at the long-term solution to the problem, rather than making a knee-jerk reaction that would be costly to the taxpayers.

One way we have addressed the problem is the creation of a committee made up of stakeholders to develop strategic planning for the future operations of the detention center. This committee, the Criminal Justice Advisory Committee has only begun its work and despite the assumptions of some, the committee has made no recommendation about closing the detention center to new inmates. The committee is made up of law enforcement officials, prosecutors, judges and a citizen. The committee was created to bring new ideas to an old problem. The solution is not necessarily adding new jail beds. Detention administration has and will continue to exhibit transparency in its operations.

The Sentinel-Record reported on Saturday (July 13) that this committee recommended to the Quorum Court closing the detention center because the number of inmates reached maximum capacity. As I said, and the state constitution says, the sheriff operates the jail.

The decision to restrict or stop taking low-level inmates was mine alone after I received the recommendation from Chief Deputy Steven Elrod. Chief Elrod, who operates the facility, merely informed the committee of the recommendation and there was no discussion by the committee members. The minutes of the same committee meeting reflected no action.

I have been in public safety most of my life. I take it seriously. It is no laughing matter when we must balance the use of taxpayers’ dollars to the housing of criminals who plague our community. I can assure you that before any inmates are released, their background and charges will be thoroughly reviewed so the public can be assured that violent criminals are not released.

Operations of the detention center continue to be an undeniable success. Appreciation goes to all staff for remaining focused on the overall mission and vision we hold, which has supported our successful establishment as the leading facility in the state in operations and services provided. Despite our challenges, we remain leaps and bounds above all of the other jails in the state; and all local stakeholders should be proud of the accomplishments taking place at the Garland County Detention Center on a daily basis.

It is an injustice when truth is denied.