Thread: Arkansas: Jail Expansion Needed, says Washington County Sher

Jail Expansion Needed, says Washington County Sheriff

By Christopher Spencer
THE MORNING NEWS
Oct 4, 2007

FAYETTEVILLE - It's time to start talking about expanding the Washington County Jail, Sheriff Tim Helder said.

Helder spoke to the county's jail/law enforcement and courts committee Thursday about adding an additional "pod" unit within the next two or three years to the jail's two pods.

Pods are independent structures with an octagonal design that house inmates. Adding an additional pod could cost about $12 million, Helder said. The jail was built in 2005 for about $22.5 million with a countywide sales tax increase. It was designed to last 10 years and is second only to the Pulaski County Jail in size, he said.

The expansion is needed because the facility is getting crowded, he said. The jail can accommodate 710 inmates, but because of the need to segregate populations from one another â€â€

Expand work release options for non violent prisoners.