As part of Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson’s goal to alleviate crowding in the incarcerated population, he pushed for a program to establish centers for those offenders who need help with mental health issues. Arkansas Act 423 of 2017 kicked off the beginning of a program to establish “crisis stabilization centers” for this reason. There was originally $5 million budgeted by State Legislators for three centers. Hutchinson wants to add another $1.4 million for a fourth center.
Tuesday night, the Pulaski County Quorum Court unanimously voted for another $1 million to put toward the program. The facility in Pulaski County is designated to also serve our jail in Saline County, as well as jails in Faulkner, Garland, Grant, Lonoke, and Perry counties.
Click here to see more info in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.