LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Senate has approved a key part of Gov. Asa Hutchinson's plan to ease overcrowding of state inmates at local jails.
By a 33-0 vote, the Senate approved legislation on Monday authorizing a partnership with counties around the state on regional facilities to hold inmates. The legislation, which now heads to the House, also allows inmates to apply for Medicaid benefits and provides avenues for them to enroll in drug and alcohol programs. Law enforcement officers would be able to conduct warrantless searches of parolees under the change.
Hutchinson last month called for using $33 million from state reserve funds for the plan to combat the backlog of more than 2,600 state inmates in county jails. The funding bills for freeing up that money will come in separate measures.
Read Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.
