Walnut Ridge officials say issue concerning a state prison needs to be looked at again

The issue to pursue a new $100 million dollar state prison to Walnut Ridge might not be dead after all.  After the Lawrence County Quorum Court voted 5-4 Monday night against a proposal to bring a new jail to the area, city officials in Walnut Ridge say they want the issue to be reconsidered.  The Sun Newspaper reports that Walnut Ridge Mayor Don House told city council members last night he believes the Quorum Court made a rash decision when shooting down the proposal.  County Judge Dale Freeman brought the proposal before the Quorum Court because he believed there would be a great economic benefit to having the jail located in the county.  House agreed with that assessment and said the many people he has talked to about the issue want the opportunity to bring the new jail to the area for the economic value the facility would provide to the region.  Those who voted against the jail Monday night cited safety concerns, such as inmates escaping from the jail.  House says a public meeting about this issue will be held next week.  State officials plan to ask the Arkansas Legislature in January to fund a new maximum security prison that would house the state’s worst prisoners.  Cities and counties have until October 24^th to apply for the new facility.  Some of the requirements include having at least 400 acres of land and access to an airport and institutions of higher learning.  The new prison could employ as many as 500 people.