History

The Pulaski County Jail in Little Rock, Arkansas, has a long and storied history. The first jail in Pulaski County was built in 1835, a log cabin located on the northwest corner of Main and Markham Streets in downtown Little Rock. The jail was small and overcrowded, and conditions were poor. In 1842, the county built a new jail, a two-story brick building located on the same site as the log cabin. This jail was also small and overcrowded, and conditions were still poor.

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The Old Jail

In 1873, the county built a new jail, known as the "Old Jail." This jail was a three-story brick building located on West Markham Street. The jail was designed to hold 100 prisoners, but it was often overcrowded with as many as 200 prisoners. Conditions in the jail were harsh, and prisoners were often subjected to beatings and other forms of abuse.

The New Jail

In 1975, the county built a new jail, known as the "New Jail." The New Jail is a three-story concrete building located on West 6th Street. The jail is designed to hold 1,000 prisoners, and it has a variety of amenities, including a law library, a medical clinic, and a recreation area.

Current Issues

The Pulaski County Jail is currently facing a number of issues, including overcrowding, understaffing, and poor conditions. In 2017, the jail was at 120% of capacity, and there were only 200 jailers to supervise the 1,200 prisoners. Conditions in the jail are also poor, with prisoners often complaining of inadequate food, lack of access to medical care, and exposure to violence.

Future Plans

The Pulaski County Sheriff's Office is currently working on a plan to address the issues facing the jail. The plan includes expanding the jail, hiring more jailers, and improving conditions for prisoners. The Sheriff's Office is also working with the Pulaski County Quorum Court to secure funding for these improvements.

Additional Resources

• Pulaski County Jail website
• Arkansas Department of Correction website
• National Institute of Corrections website

Challenges and Controversies

The Pulaski County Jail has faced a number of challenges and controversies over the years. Some of the most notable challenges include:

• Overcrowding: The jail has been chronically overcrowded for many years. In 2017, the jail was at 120% of capacity, and there were only 200 jailers to supervise the 1,200 prisoners. This overcrowding has led to a number of problems, including:

  • Increased violence among prisoners
  • Poor sanitation and hygiene
  • Spread of disease
  • Inadequate access to medical care

• Understaffing: The jail is also chronically understaffed. In 2017, there were only 200 jailers to supervise the 1,200 prisoners. This understaffing has led to a number of problems, including:

  • Increased security risks
  • Poor supervision of prisoners
  • Increased likelihood of abuse and neglect

• Poor conditions: Conditions in the jail are also poor. Prisoners often complain of inadequate food, lack of access to medical care, and exposure to violence. In 2017, the jail was cited for a number of health and safety violations, including:

  • Inadequate ventilation
  • Poor lighting
  • Lack of fire safety equipment
  • Presence of mold and mildew

Efforts to Address Challenges

The Pulaski County Sheriff's Office is currently working on a plan to address the challenges facing the jail. The plan includes expanding the jail, hiring more jailers, and improving conditions for prisoners. The Sheriff's Office is also working with the Pulaski County Quorum Court to secure funding for these improvements.

Some of the specific measures that the Sheriff's Office is taking to address the challenges facing the jail include:

• Expanding the jail: The Sheriff's Office is currently working on a plan to expand the jail by adding a new wing. The new wing will add 500 beds to the jail, which will help to alleviate overcrowding.
• Hiring more jailers: The Sheriff's Office is also working to hire more jailers. The Sheriff's Office has set a goal of hiring 100 new jailers by the end of 2023.
• Improving conditions for prisoners: The Sheriff's Office is also working to improve conditions for prisoners. The Sheriff's Office has implemented a number of new programs and policies to improve safety, sanitation, and access to medical care for prisoners.