State of Arkansas Archives: on Crime
Asa Hutchinson:
Balance public safety with giving a second chance in life
We need to continue looking at our criminal justice system in this state to assure that our incarceration policies are right--
to assure that our policy is balanced between public safety and giving those a second chance in life who have fulfilled their responsibilities to society.
Source: 2017 Arkansas State of the State address
Jan 10, 2017
Asa Hutchinson:
Four executions in 8 days; keep protocol of lethal injection
Arkansas executed a death-row inmate in the state's fourth lethal injection in eight days, concluding a frantic execution schedule officials said was necessary to carry out death sentences before one of their drugs expired. Journalists said they saw the
inmate, Kenneth Williams, lurching and convulsing during the lethal injection.Gov. Hutchinson said the executions this month were carried out under the state's protocols, and he dismissed calls for a probe into Williams's execution, saying there were
no indications of pain during any of the lethal injections. "I see no reason for any investigation other than the routine review that is done after every execution," Hutchinson said. After speaking with the Arkansas Department of Correction, "I was
satisfied with the information that I received, and I see nothing that draws questions that would justify anything more than a routine review," Hutchinson said. The governor also said he saw no need to alter the state's execution protocols.
Source: Washington Post on 2018 Arkansas gubernatorial race
Apr 28, 2017
Asa Hutchinson:
Give criminals a second chance
We have invested more in reentry centers to give people a second chance in life. More than 1,200 inmates have graduated through our reentry facilities, and this results in a lower incarceration rate, more people working, and a reduced burden on
taxpayers. We want to give people a second chance in life after they have paid the penalty for any wrongdoing, and I am proud of our employers who give them a chance!
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Arkansas legislature
Jan 15, 2019
Asa Hutchinson:
Increased funding for law enforcement
I have submitted my balanced budget to you, and it includes additional funding for public safety with 30 additional probation and parole officers. It also includes $2.3 million for an increase of 24 new troopers over the next two years.
The Arkansas State Police is our top law-enforcement agency, and we must support our law enforcement. And Arkansas does.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Arkansas legislature
Jan 15, 2019
Asa Hutchinson:
Let's not be last state to enact hate crimes legislation
Let me move to a more difficult subject, hate crimes legislation. The main objection that I hear from my conservative friends, is that it gives some people more protection than others. The only way we can come together on this is for us to listen to
each other, and to step into others's shoes. Polls show that a clear majority of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents support passage of this kind of legislation. Let's not be the last to enact it. Let's lead and do what is important for so many.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Arkansas legislature
Jan 12, 2021
Asa Hutchinson:
Build new 498 inmate prison because we have a growing state
Our law enforcement is underfunded, underpaid, and underappreciated. The actions of this General Assembly will send the unmistakable message that we support and value our law enforcement partners. While some across the country advocate for reducing
police funding, we are doing the opposite. We are increasing support and affirming that the first duty of government is public safety. I also challenge our counties and cities to do more. Police funding must be a priority at every level.
Currently, we have a record back up of state prisoners in our county jails. This limits the counties and cities in their capacity to enforce local laws. This backlog must be remedied and for that reason, I recommend another one-time investment from our
surplus to fund a new 498 inmate prison facility. Let me emphasize that this need for a new facility is not a reflection of a change in incarceration policy. It is simply the fact that we have a growing state.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Arkansas legislature
Feb 14, 2022
Bruce Westerman:
Supports capital punishment; opposes building more prisons
Q: Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?A: Yes.
Q: Do you support alternatives to incarceration for certain non-violent offenders, such as mandatory counseling or substance abuse treatment?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support building
more state prisons in Arkansas?
A: No.
Q: Should minors accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as adults?
A: Yes.
Q: Should minors who send sexually-explicit or nude photos by cell phone face criminal charges?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support
the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
A: Yes.
Westerman adds, "I believe we can reduce the need for prisons and correctional programs if we will focus on improving our childhood literacy rate and educational system
as a whole while expanding our economy so that Arkansas can be the 'Land of Opportunity' for all of its citizens. For those who still refuse to abide by the law then we need the best prison system to incarcerate and hopefully correct the offenders."
Source: Arkansas Congressional 2008 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2008
Chris Jones:
Shrink state's incarceration rate, puts a strain on system
Jones wants to shrink the state's incarceration rate. "When you think about how we lock up individuals because they're late on certain payments, which puts a strain on the system and takes them out of their communities and their families.
All it does is it creates a cycle that that's really difficult to get out of," Jones said.
Source: KTHV TV-11 on 2022 Arkansas Gubernatorial race
Feb 23, 2022
Conner Eldridge:
Work with law enforcement to reduce threats of violence
Over the last five years, I've had the honor of serving as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, working closely with our dedicated law enforcement throughout Arkansas--and this experience, along with my time in business,
gives me a unique perspective on what we have to do to create better paying jobs in Arkansas, to make education a top priority and to reduce the threats of violence and abuse that are disrupting our communities.
Source: 5 News Online coverage of 2016 Arkansas Senate race
Sep 9, 2015
Curtis Coleman:
No mandatory minimums, but death penalty ok
Q: Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?Coleman: Yes
Q: Do you support alternatives to incarceration for certain non-violent offenders such as mandatory counseling or substance abuse treatment?
Coleman: Yes
Q: Do you support mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenders?
Coleman: No
Source: Vote Smart Arkansas 2016 Political Courage Test
Sep 1, 2016
Dan Whitfield:
End the corruption of private prisons
Ending the Corruption of Privatized Prisons: The imprisonment of humans is at a record high. We have prisons that deny parole to inmates merely to keep jail cells filled, because that's how they get paid.
In 2010 the two largest private prisons received nearly $3 BILLION in revenue while paying their executives over $3 million per year. It's time we stop putting criminals in cages and start rehabilitating them instead.
Source: 2020 Arkansas Senate campaign website DanWhitCongress.us
Jun 8, 2020
Dan Whitfield:
Greater firepower is not solution; deal with systemic racism
[Opponent Senator Tom] Cotton said military intervention may be appropriate. "We need to have zero tolerance for this destruction." Whitfield, an independent seeking to unseat Cotton, said greater firepower will aggravate the problem, not solve it. "We
have systematic racism sown throughout our society, and until we take care of that systematic racism, we're going to be facing issues like these protests that are going on now," he said.
Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on 2020 Arkansas Senate race
Jun 2, 2020
Dan Whitfield:
Need to reform, not "defund," the police
"Defund the Police" was a terrible title to the type of reform we need. I do think we need to demilitarize the police.- Higher educational requirements.
- Annual de-escalation training.
- Minimum force necessary requirements.
- Require a body camera while on duty and outside their precinct.
- Community Review Panels.
- Ending Qualified immunity.
Source: 2022 Arkansas Senate campaign website DanWhitCongress.us
Dec 6, 2020
Leslie Rutledge:
Death row executions continue with sedative
A federal judge upheld Arkansas' execution process, ruling that the state can continue to use a sedative in lethal injections that other states
have backed away from and rejecting claims that its use amounts to cruel and unusual punishment.
Source: The Journal Record on 2022 Arkansas Gubernatorial race
Jun 3, 2020
Mark Swaney:
Eliminate the federal death penalty
Swaney said he is a strong opponent of the death penalty. "When I am elected, I will seek support from other senators and other congressmen for a bill in
Congress to eliminate the federal death penalty," Swaney said.
Source: KAIT-8 on 2014 Arkansas Senate race
Jul 26, 2014
Mark West:
Fewer non-violent offenses, but respect victims rights
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Stricter punishment reduces crime"?
A: Oppose for non-violent drug-related offenses. Addiction is a health care issues, not a law enforcement issue. Punishments for violent and property-related crimes should be stricter, but should also respect victims rights in sentencing.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arkansas governor candidate
Apr 28, 2018
Mike Beebe:
Let non-violent offenders repay debt to society productively
We warehouse too many people in our prisons, and at our current rate of incarceration, we will need a projected additional $1.1 billion just to supply enough beds for the next decade. The choice will be whether to raise taxes to pay for those beds, or
release potentially dangerous criminals because we have nowhere else to hold them.Conversations about our corrections system are too often dominated by fear and anxiety. Many discussions end in new laws with harsher sentences and longer prison terms.
To say that the only solution is to take no chances, to lock up non-violent offenders for longer and longer periods of time whatever the cost; to do this is to give up on trying to reform our corrections system and our society.
We must appropriately
punish lawbreakers, but, in some instances, non-violent offenders can repay that debt to society while remaining productive for their families and their communities. If they don't correct their ways, incarceration will always be an option.
Source: 2011 Arkansas State of the State Address
Jan 11, 2011
Natalie James:
End Qualified Immunity, end mass incarceration
As your Senator, she will:- Fund police departments responsibly so that accountability and restoring trust are possible;
-
End Qualified Immunity
- Create and Strengthen pathways for re-entry citizens;
- Reduce Senseless Gun Violence; and
- Support measures to put an end to mass incarceration.
Source: 2022 Arkansas Senate campaign website JamesForArkansas.com
Jun 7, 2022
Ricky Dale Harrington:
Reduce prison population; impose sentencing caps
Prison reform is a motivating issue for Harrington. He is a treatment coordinator at the Arkansas Department of Corrections Cummins Unit. His responsibilities include legal matters, access to courts, recreational activities and veterans affairs.
He supports reducing the size of Arkansas' prison population, particularly with respect to nonviolent offenders; imposing sentencing caps; and programs that could help people stay out of prison.
Source: TalkBusiness.net on 2020 Arkansas Senate race
Oct 27, 2019
Ricky Dale Harrington:
Prisons shouldn't profit off of people
I work in Corrections and our criminal justice system needs to change. There should be NO money making incentives to incarcerate people. No one cares until it hits them in their backyard,
I say you have a duty to make sure those in power do not create a system that locks people up and uses them in a profiteering industry. #itsyourrepublic
Source: Facebook posting on 2020 Arkansas Senate race
Dec 13, 2019
Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
To remain free we must have law and order
I was the first White House Press Secretary to require Secret Service protection because of a credible violent threat against me. We've seen violence in our streets, at a congressional baseball practice, and at our Capitol, this is not who we are as
Americans. To remain free we must have law and order and resolve our differences peacefully. I will stand with our brave law enforcement officers, promote law and order, and keep our community safe.
Source: Rev.com e-zine on 2022 Arkansas gubernatorial race
Nov 12, 2020
Tom Cotton:
Zero tolerance for destruction during protests
[During Black Lives Matter protests,] Cotton said military intervention may be appropriate. "We need to have zero tolerance for this destruction." Dan Whitfield, an independent seeking to unseat Cotton, said greater firepower will aggravate the problem,
not solve it. "We have systematic racism sown throughout our society, and until we take care of that systematic racism, we're going to be facing issues like these protests that are going on now," he said.
Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on 2020 Arkansas Senate race
Jun 2, 2020
Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
No more catch and early release of violent repeat offenders
Last year, the legislature passed, and I signed Death by Delivery, which charges fentanyl dealers with murder if the drugs they traffic cause a fatal overdose. And we came together again to pass the Protect Act. No more catch and early release of
violent repeat offenders. In Arkansas, we will keep the most dangerous criminals off our streets. We're paving the way to build a new, 3,000-bed prison. And we've opened up 1,000 beds in our existing capacity to take pressure off local jails.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Arkansas legislature
Apr 10, 2024
Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
Slap enhanced penalties on violent illegal immigrants
The good news is that we now have a partner and ally in the White House. I have an amazing relationship with President Trump and he and his administration will have no greater friend than Arkansas. The President has promised to deal with the crisis on
our southern border and fix our broken immigration system. Here in Arkansas, we will pass the Defense Against Criminal Illegals Act to slap enhanced penalties on violent illegal immigrants and remove them from our state.
Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Arkansas legislature
Jan 14, 2025
Fredrick Love:
Proposed creating unit to oversee police abuse of power
Arkansas state Rep. Fred Love has filed a new bill, proposing to create a new Law Enforcement Integrity Unit within the Arkansas State Police. The bill, currently entitled House Bill 1007, would create the Law Enforcement Integrity Act of 2021. Under
this act, the state would create a multi-tiered Law Enforcement Integrity Unit within the Division of Arkansas State Police. This unit would be responsible for overseeing law enforcement abuse of power and civil right violations allegations.
Source: Arkansas Money & Politics on 2026 Arkansas Governor race
Nov 23, 2020
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026