New prison coming to Charleston pushing residents to speak out

CHARLESTON, Ark.- It's now a week after Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced over a $2 million purchase for a new prison in Charleston. That moment led to a town hall meeting where people in the community say there's been a lack of transparency.

Thomas Douglass is one of the many who felt blindsided.

"Not to even have a public input on it, it's criminal," Douglass said.

According to Arkansas state leaders, the 3000-bed prison is said to bring an economic boost while creating more room for offenders across the state.

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And those from the Arkansas Department of Corrections say the prison will bring more jobs, assuring the people of Charleston that many of them could soon be hired but during Thursday night's meeting, many made it clear that they didn't want that.

"Some of the land that's honored around Mill Creek Mountain has been cherished and passed down through generations," one woman said as she spoke on the podium.

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Many of them agreed that preserving their land is important, and it wasn't long before Senator Garry Stubblefield asked for a recount of votes.

"When you don't even notify your representatives, I have to come back and give them the bad news, that's just not the way our government should operate," Stubblefield said.

The Board of Corrections has agreed to host another meeting Friday morning to take another vote on the prison.