board of corrections

Maximum Security Unit, Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADOC photo)

Arkansas Corrections Board hires attorney, approves some new prison beds

BY: - December 8, 2023

The Arkansas Board of Corrections on Friday hired an outside attorney to represent it in employment matters, a step a board member said was taken in response to criticism of the board last month by Attorney General Tim Griffin. The board voted 3-2 to hire Abtin Mehdizadegan, a labor and employment lawyer with the Little […]

Arkansas Corrections Board chair responds to criticism from governor, attorney general

BY: - November 21, 2023

UPDATE: This story was updated at 2:40 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, with additional information about Magness’ position on the PROTECT Act. The Arkansas Board of Corrections rejected a request to expand prison capacity this month because of severe staffing shortages and existing crowding, board Chairman Benny Magness says in a Nov. 20 letter […]

Arkansas governor attacks Corrections Board over denial of plan to add 500 prison beds

BY: - November 17, 2023

UPDATE: This story was updated at 3:40 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, with additional information about the proposal to add more state prison beds. Arkansas’ governor and top criminal justice officials leveled a public broadside against the State Board of Corrections over disagreement on a plan to expand the state’s prison capacity. Gov. Sarah […]