Arkansas Authorizes Early Release Of 500 Offenders, 23% Budget Hike

Sep 28, 2026

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Arkansas authorized early release of more than 500 offenders to address prison overcrowding, citing a system operating at 20% over capacity. The state Department of Corrections plans to pursue a 23% budget increase, including funding for prison expansion and payments to local jails. The release targets many individuals previously eligible for parole, though violence convictions remain included, with most released serving sentences for drug abuse, alcohol driving offenses, and property crimes.

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Arkansas Authorizes Early Release Of 500 Offenders, 23% Budget Hike

IOWA WILL PROBABLY WEAKEN PENALTIES

November 29,2002Vol.33,No.48 IN THIS ISSUE Iowa Will Probably WeakenMandatory Sentencing.………2Montana Releases UndercutViability Of Private Prison..2Indiana Gun Crime CrackdownWill Boost Population.……3 N.C.Agency Finds TrainingFor Fire Safety Is Poor……3Most Sex Offenders Fai!ToRegister In Rhode Isiand...3Tobacco Ban Agitates UnionOfficers In Delaware……4Drug Abuse Commen……4U.S.Asks CommentOn Denying Benefits………4U.S.Selects 9 For PrcjectsTo Curb Domestic Abuse....4Youth Programs Comment..5Monitoring Cuts Teen DrugUse In Florida………………….5 IN THE COURTS 7th Circuit Rules Drive-ByShooting Counts In 3 Strikes5Washington Takes Second LookAt Predicate Felony Law..6 ACROSS THE STATES Arizona,California ……………6Florida……………………6Michigan,Nebraska………7Oregon,Pennsylvania……7Tennessee………………………7Virginia,Washington………7 CorrectionSDGEST The only independent news service for the corrections professional # Arkansas Authorizes Early ReleaseOf 500 Offenders,23%Budget Hike Arkansas authorized early re-lease of more than 500 offenders toaddress a state prison system oper-ating at 20 percent over capacity. The State Department of Cor-rection in January will also seek a23 percent budget increase includ-ing more than S21 million in newfunding for prison expansion andpayments to loca!jails. Uulike previous situations.theearly parole offenders include fel-ons convicted of violent crimes. Despite their past histories.thestate has tried to identify violentfelons that are most likely to suc-ceed in avoiding new offenses. In a few cases,the offenderswould have been eligibie for parolesoon regardless of the status of thcirrehabilitation. Most of those released,how-ever,are serving sentences for drugabuse,multiple alcohol driving of-fenses and property crimes. Even with early parole for 455male inmates and 66 female prison-ers,the Arkansas Department ofCorrection will be operating at 14percent above capacity. Arkansas holds 13,100 inmatesin a system constructed for about 11,000 and beds another 1,200 incounty jails.If those offenders were in the state system,it would be 30percent above capacity. in the state system,it would be 30percent above capacity. For 10 years,the prison popu-lation has averaged an increase of40 inmates each month,but monthlyenrollments have tripled since July. For 10 years,the prison popu-lation has averaged an increase of40 inmates each month,but monthlyenrollments have tripled since July. Arkansas also stiffened sen-tences during the 1990s,resulting inthe average offender serving 56months in 1999 compared to 37months in 1990. Arkansas also stiffened sen-tences during the 1990s,resulting inthe average offender serving 56months in 1999 compared to 37months in 1990. In 1996,the average innateserved 34 percent of a senatence.By1999,the offender was serving 36percent. In 1996,the average innateserved 34 percent of a senatence.By1999,the offender was serving 36percent. In the latest action to ease pres-sures from ithe tougher sanictions,the Arkansas Prison Board recog-nized early parole eligibility for 521offenders with releases beginning inearly 2003. In the latest action to ease pres-sures from ithe tougher sanictions,the Arkansas Prison Board recog-nized early parole eligibility for 521offenders with releases beginning inearly 2003. "We hope that this will offersome relief to the overcrowdingsituation,"said an official of theArkansas Department of Correction. "We hope that this will offersome relief to the overcrowdingsituation,"said an official of theArkansas Department of Correction. Even with the release,the ca-pacity problem will remain as achronic issue. Even with the release,the ca-pacity problem will remain as achronic issue. The Board of Corrections hasinvoked the Emergency Powers Actevery 90 days since November 1998to open beds for entering prisoners. The Board of Corrections hasinvoked the Emergency Powers Actevery 90 days since November 1998to open beds for entering

FAQs

Why did Arkansas authorize early release of more than 500 offenders?

Arkansas authorized early release to relieve a prison system operating about 20% over capacity.

What budget change is Arkansas seeking alongside the early releases?

The state planned to seek a 23% budget increase, including funding for prison expansion and payments to local jails.

Who is Iowa expected to allow more flexibility for under proposed sentencing changes?

Iowa’s proposals would ease mandatory sentences and expand sentencing leeway, particularly for non-violent offenders and alternative community-based options.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Himbo