Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Craighead County’s Quorum Court met last night in the Courthouse Annex Addition on Union Street to discuss county business.
Among the new business was a public safety review of Craighead County Detention Center and the Juvenile Detention Center. The review found that the site’s operational capacity of 350 inmates was insufficient for the current operational needs.
“When you look at the number of beds, it shows a lot less than what we hold,” explained Sheriff Marty Boyd, specifically of the juvenile detention facility. “The reason for that is how we have two barracks, one male, one female. We hold a lot more males than we do females. But a lot of times, we might have only two females in a 24-bed unit, but males will be full. There’s been times that we have to close down the female bed to house more males, even. That’s why they talk about the numbers and how we might need more housing. But, when you look at the beds, you say, ‘Well, there’s more beds there than people are there.’ It’s because of that male, female discretion there.”
The report also mentioned that the detention centers are understaffed, saying that on a typical day, the jail operates with approximately six vacant positions.
“In my opinion, working in the detention center is just a very tough job, period. It’s hard to get someone attracted to that,” said Boyd. “Our detention officers see the bad every day. They’re dealing with everyone that they come in contact with is people that we deem can’t live in society, and we’ve locked up in jail.”
When asked how these issues affect safety at the detention center, Sheriff Boyd said, “You can have a great deal of impact on safety. When we are overcrowded, or when we are at the maximum capacity, it brings on another factor to employees and inmates incarcerated right now; safety can become a factor.”
According to the report, the average daily population is 373 inmates. The facility was built in 1989 and was last remodeled in 2007. In November 2024, a measure was placed on the ballot to address current jail issues, but the measure did not pass. The report also mentioned that the county has invested approximately $400,000 in maintenance, repairs, and general upkeep of the building in the past 12 months.
Quorum Court members also heard the second reading of a measure to consolidate the duties of treasurer and collector in Craighead County. The measure would put the decision in the hands of voters on November 3 and, if passed on the ballot, would take effect on Jan. 1, 2031.
Members of the public have been vocal at previous Quorum Court meetings on this issue, with concerns raised on the viability of a study that was completed to determine the success of combining the offices.
“I did attend the last meeting, where the first reading of the ordinance was read,” said Sarah Moross of Jonesboro. “A lot of public comment that I heard and I agreed with [is that] there seemed to be a lack of evidence for, or against, the study. It was agreed upon by not just Mr. Barnes, but other members of the court that more evidence needed to be asked for, or a follow-up study needed to be done.”
Moross ended her comments by reminding the court that more evidence was asked for from the public. The court adjourned shortly after to go to individual committees.
The third reading of the ordinance to combine the collector and treasurer offices will be held at the next Quorum Court, after which the members will vote on whether to send the issue to voters.