Calico Rock Prison Expansion Considered as Franklin County Plan Stalls

Arkansas officials weigh adding 500 beds to existing facility as new prison proposal faces setbacks

Apr. 14, 2026 at 3:20pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a set of prison bars or a lock against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually illustrating the stark realities of the state's prison system.As Arkansas seeks solutions to prison overcrowding, a stark visual of the state's correctional infrastructure underscores the complex challenges facing lawmakers.Franklin Today

The idea of expanding the Benny Magness Unit prison in Calico Rock, Arkansas is being reconsidered as Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' proposed 3,000-bed prison in Franklin County faces delays. Lawmakers have not included funding for the new Franklin County prison in the current fiscal session, and state officials have pushed back on the proposed mountain-top location. Meanwhile, a Board of Corrections member has submitted a letter outlining an alternative strategy to add capacity across multiple sites, including potentially expanding the existing Benny Magness Unit by 500 beds.

Why it matters

Arkansas' prison system has faced overcrowding issues for years, and state officials are exploring various options to address the need for more beds. The Calico Rock expansion proposal represents a potential cost-effective solution by leveraging an existing facility, rather than building an entirely new prison from scratch.

The details

The Benny Magness Unit in Calico Rock currently has a capacity of 800 inmates. State officials have previously considered expanding the prison by an additional 500 beds, but the plan was set aside in favor of the larger 3,000-bed facility proposed for Franklin County. However, the Franklin County project has now stalled, with no funding included in the current fiscal session and pushback from state officials on the proposed mountain-top location.

  • The Benny Magness Unit currently has a capacity of 800 inmates.
  • Expansion of the Benny Magness Unit by 500 additional beds was previously considered but set aside.
  • Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' proposed 3,000-bed prison in Franklin County is currently facing delays, with no funding included in the current fiscal session.

The players

Sarah Huckabee Sanders

The Governor of Arkansas who proposed the 3,000-bed prison in Franklin County.

Lee Watson

A member of the Arkansas Board of Corrections who submitted a letter outlining an alternative strategy to add capacity across multiple sites, including potentially expanding the Benny Magness Unit.

Stetson Painter

An Arkansas state representative who spoke with KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot News about lawmakers' hopes to hear more from the Governor this week on where funding should be directed to address the need for more prison space.

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What they’re saying

“'A variety of prison beds are needed in multiple locations,' Watson wrote, pointing to the state's responsibility to house inmates with complex medical and mental health needs.”

— Lee Watson, Board of Corrections member

“'I say to you that the alternative of eating a Franklin County elephant in one bite … is not a viable approach,' Watson said, warning it would fall short of meeting the Department of Corrections' needs.”

— Lee Watson, Board of Corrections member

What’s next

Lawmakers are hoping to hear more from Governor Huckabee Sanders this week on where funding should be directed to address the state's prison capacity needs.

The takeaway

As Arkansas grapples with prison overcrowding, state officials are exploring cost-effective solutions that leverage existing facilities, like the potential expansion of the Benny Magness Unit in Calico Rock, rather than relying solely on building a new, large-scale prison.