- Our jail has room for 669 inmates, but it routinely holds as many as 848 inmates.
- This overcrowding represents an unreasonable risk for Benton County.
- The impact of this overcrowding is genuine and has a direct impact on the long-term security and stability of our community.
- Our jail is so full over capacity right now with violent offenders and high-risk detainees that a more typical offender, such as drunk driving, will be released after booking or after they are sober enough to drive again.
- Arkansas laws are strict against drunk driving offenses, however, when the jails are full - offenders are released back into our community without serving their mandatory jail time and punishment.
- The same is true for more violent offenders who are arrested on misdemeanor charges, including terroristic threatening surrounding a domestic situation.
- When criminals understand they will not be held accountable, they return time and again.
- This cycle of release, re-arrest, release, and re-arrest is costly and risky. The problem is so significant that in Benton County, the average arrest and re-arrest rate is very high.
- There are some people who have been arrested and re-arrested more than 25 times. Such habitual offenders understand the jail is full and they will face no significant jail time.
- Maintain our reputation of being a safe community
- Those who choose to commit crimes will be held accountable for their actions
- Allows Benton County to grow and flourish in a safe and responsible way
- Compromise future safety and growth of the area
- No accountability for those who commit crime will continue to do so
- Criminals charged with misdemeanors are not required to serve mandatory sentencing, and released back into our community after booking
