The proposed bill addresses the backlog of inmates awaiting transfer to the Division of Correction by allowing certain adjoining counties in Arkansas to form partnerships for the construction, expansion, or improvement of shared county jails. Specifically, it introduces a new section to the Arkansas Code, titled "County jail state inmate close-to-home partnership," which outlines the criteria and processes for these partnerships. Counties that contribute significantly to the inmate population of the Division of Correction, as determined by data from January 1, 2025, can enter into agreements to jointly manage and operate these facilities, provided they receive approval from their respective quorum courts and the Board of Corrections.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that funding for the construction or improvement of these shared jails can come from sources authorized by the General Assembly, alongside any existing funding provisions. It also establishes a deadline for the approval of partnership agreements by the Board of Corrections, set for June 30, 2027. This legislative effort aims to alleviate overcrowding in correctional facilities and enhance the management of inmates awaiting transfer.