Howard County Quorum Court considering jail expansion

A possible jail expansion was discussed at Monday’s meeting of the Howard County Quorum Court.  The facility, which opened in the early to mid 1990’s, is now one of the smallest jails in southwest Arkansas, with a capacity of about 40 beds.  Sheriff Bryan McJunkins said the jail is close to, or at full capacity, just about every day and stays full with felony inmates.

There is no space to house misdemeanor inmates, such as people who are convicted in district court.  Sheriff McJunkins said those misdemeanor inmates are are the ones who have been seen in years past, picking up roadside trash in Howard County.

The quorum court has expressed an interest to discuss jail expansion, using a portion of the $2.5 million dollars in American Rescue Plan money received from the federal government.

The sheriff said he will look into expansion costs and report back to the quorum court.