MENA / WALDRON - A local county is looking to house their prisoners at a jail that hasn't opened yet. Scott County's old jail was shutdown by the state, but voters approved a tax to open the new jail that's been sitting empty. Now, a neighbor is hoping for help.
The Mena tornado severely damaged the Polk County Jail so like Scott County, they have had to try and find other jails willing to take their prisoners in.
"It blew the roof off and most of the damage we had in the jail is water damage." Polk County Sheriff Mike Oglesby's department is operating out of portable buildings.
He says they've kept prisoners to a minimum--about a dozen or less are in three different county jails. If he could house them in the new Scott County Jail, it would be closer and more convenient.
"We have court on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday so I have somebody on the road at least 3 days a week," Sheriff Oglesby explained.
Meanwhile, Scott County Sheriff Cody Carpenter says the new jail could actually make money off of counties in positions like Polk.
"We already have commitments from other counties that have told us you know, 'Cody as soon as this jail gets openÂ…we'll give you all you can store," Sheriff Carpenter said.
He named Crawford County as another possibility. But the new sales tax that passed isn't expected to generate enough funds to open the jail for six months.
"That's what he's [Sheriff Carpenter] working on with the county judge now is finding what avenue he has to maybe get the state of Arkansas or look for grants or whatever he can to get to open this thing up to help him out. Because like you said, he has no jail, I have no jail so it would benefit both of us," Polk County's sheriff said.
Bids will likely be sent out sometime next week for the Polk County Jail. The sheriff expects repairs and renovations to be complete within a few months. As it stands, the new Scott County Jail isn't likely to open before January first unless the sheriff is able to find alternate funding. That's well after Polk County's Jail should be up and operational. However, Scott's Jail will have space, if Polk needs it.
The Mena tornado severely damaged the Polk County Jail so like Scott County, they have had to try and find other jails willing to take their prisoners in.
"It blew the roof off and most of the damage we had in the jail is water damage." Polk County Sheriff Mike Oglesby's department is operating out of portable buildings.
He says they've kept prisoners to a minimum--about a dozen or less are in three different county jails. If he could house them in the new Scott County Jail, it would be closer and more convenient.
"We have court on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday so I have somebody on the road at least 3 days a week," Sheriff Oglesby explained.
Meanwhile, Scott County Sheriff Cody Carpenter says the new jail could actually make money off of counties in positions like Polk.
"We already have commitments from other counties that have told us you know, 'Cody as soon as this jail gets openÂ…we'll give you all you can store," Sheriff Carpenter said.
He named Crawford County as another possibility. But the new sales tax that passed isn't expected to generate enough funds to open the jail for six months.
"That's what he's [Sheriff Carpenter] working on with the county judge now is finding what avenue he has to maybe get the state of Arkansas or look for grants or whatever he can to get to open this thing up to help him out. Because like you said, he has no jail, I have no jail so it would benefit both of us," Polk County's sheriff said.
Bids will likely be sent out sometime next week for the Polk County Jail. The sheriff expects repairs and renovations to be complete within a few months. As it stands, the new Scott County Jail isn't likely to open before January first unless the sheriff is able to find alternate funding. That's well after Polk County's Jail should be up and operational. However, Scott's Jail will have space, if Polk needs it.
