This bill addresses the backlog of inmates awaiting transfer to the Division of Correction by allowing certain adjoining counties in Arkansas to form partnerships to jointly construct, expand, or improve facilities that will operate as shared county jails. The new section added to the Arkansas Code, titled "County jail state inmate close-to-home partnership," outlines the criteria and processes for these partnerships. Specifically, it permits two or more adjoining counties to enter into an agreement to manage and operate a shared jail, provided that at least one of the counties is among the top eight contributors to the inmate population in the Division of Correction as of January 1, 2025, and that the agreement receives approval from the quorum court of each county and the Board of Corrections.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that funding for the construction, expansion, or improvement of these shared facilities can come from sources authorized by the General Assembly, alongside any other legal funding sources. The partnership agreements must be approved by the Board of Corrections before June 30, 2027, ensuring a structured timeline for implementation. This legislative measure aims to alleviate overcrowding in correctional facilities and enhance local jail capacities through collaborative efforts among counties.