Little River County residents turn out for open house of new jail
ASHDOWN, Ark. — Cloudy skies and a cold wind could not dampen the sense of pride and achievement for Little River County officials Friday as Sheriff Bobby Walraven cut the ribbon on the new detention center.
“It’s a very important moment for the Little River Sheriff’s Office. It’s a testament of the support our citizens have for law enforcement. This has been a long, long project, and it’s long overdue,” Walraven said.
He thanked his staff for “working around the clock” in recent weeks so the detention center could open. Walraven also joked about his wife putting up with him through the construction.
“They say if you can make it through building a house together, you can make it through anything,” he said, turning around to look at the new $8 million detention center.
Construction on the detention center had several delays due to supply chain issues and wet weather. Work on the outside of the building and the parking lot were the final steps in getting the facility complete, Walraven said.
County Judge Larry Cowling thanked residents for their contributions to the construction project.
“This would have not been possible without the citizens of Little River County voting the tax in,” Cowling said.
“This is your building,” he said.
Little River County voters approved a bond in September 2019 to finance the new building and a 3/8-cent sales tax to help pay for it and a quarter-cent tax for maintenance and operation. The measures went into effect Jan. 1, 2020.
Cowling also acknowledged former County Judge Mike Cranford for his efforts in getting the center from a plan to a reality.
“He started this project and stayed until the end,” Cowling said.
Cranford spoke about previous attempts to build a new detention center and how the time was not right.
“But that time came back around a few years later,” he said.
Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston and state Rep. Carol Dalby of Texarkana also attended the open house, along with county officials and several law enforcement officers.
Thurston spoke on how a detention center can keep people on the right track.
“These types of facilities can help a young man or woman keep from going to prison. They can help a community as a whole,” he said.
Tours of the new detention center were held after the speakers and ribbon cutting.
The new jail is on U.S. Highway 71 on the north side of Ashdown near Cossatot Community College University of Arkansas. County officials looked at four locations before deciding on the site.
The Southbuild Team, which includes Spirit Architecture Group and Smith-Doyle Contractors, constructed the detention center. The Tennessee-based team has worked on a number of correctional centers in several states, including Arkansas.
The new detention center can house between 60 and 80 inmates.