The debate over the construction of a new state prison in Franklin County has now reached the state capitol. On Wednesday, Republican State Sen. Bryan King introduced a draft bill proposing an alternative approach to Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders' plan for a new 3,000-bed prison in the county.

Sen. King’s bill suggests expanding county facilities rather than constructing new ones.

"This process has been a financial debacle waiting to happen. We will not be $470 million [in debt] it will be more like $1.5 billion for it to begin," King warned.

He argued that expanding county facilities would be more cost-effective and efficient. He also emphasized that smaller, local facilities could address the problem more quickly rather than waiting for a "mega-prison" to be built in the next five years. "It costs less on transportation. It can be built faster and for less money in these places when you build smaller facilities and make them and provide partnerships with county jails to do something," King said.

Sen. King also revealed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request that shows where most inmates come from. He hopes this will strengthen the argument against building the prison in rural Franklin County. "Sixty-seven percent of these inmates, I'll say this again, originate only in eight counties. That's where these facilities need to be built," King emphasized.

The eight counties named in the FOIA and their respective inmate percentages include:

• Washington: 8%
• Sebastian: 8.6%
• Pulaski: 21%
• Jefferson: 5.4%
• Saline: 5.5%
• Faulkner: 6.5%
• Crawford: 4.5%
• Benton: 7.1%

Sen. King also criticized the state’s history in handling prison issues, asking, "They have routinely promised they were going to enhance public safety and take care of prison overcrowding, and what's been the result?"

The discussion surrounding the proposed prison in Franklin County has sparked concern among local residents. Sen. King, along with Sen. Gary Stubblefield, has also called for a hearing in the Judiciary Committee to address questions about the land purchase for the project.

In response, Senate President Bart Hester stated, "Every member has the right to file any bill the issue becomes if they have the relationships and influence to become successful. I hope the best for Senator King."

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ office released a statement supporting the construction of the new prison. "Placing the burden of long-term incarceration on county jails is a failed strategy and a disservice to communities and inmates alike," the statement said. "The Governor and her staff have been in contact with Franklin County leaders and will continue to engage the community as the state constructs a prison that will bring hundreds of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in investment to Franklin County while building a safer, stronger Arkansas."

Additionally, the Governor’s office stated that nearly 1,500 new beds have already been opened at existing prison facilities in the past two years as part of efforts to address overcrowding.