Update – 4/14/26

The prison project is officially on hold!

“The Arkansas Department of Corrections stated that the project is “on hold,” with no recent work being done on the site, outside of routine maintenance and upkeep.”

The documentary screening in Little Rock on Monday was an incredible success, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who showed up, shared the message, and helped elevate Franklin County’s story. Tuesday morning brought encouraging news as Governor Sanders submitted a request to reappropriate funds previously designated for the Franklin County prison project, effectively placing the project on hold. This is a meaningful step forward and a victory made possible by sustained public engagement and community advocacy. While we take a moment to acknowledge this progress, this issue is not yet fully resolved. The Governor has also stated that Franklin County remains the “best option” for future prison expansion and the State still retains ownership of the 815 acres at Mill Creek Mountain. Continued engagement is still needed to ensure permanent resolution and the return of the land to the community. 

Our work isn’t done yet, here’s how you can help!

Contact the Sentators and Representatives who have the power to put this project to rest for good! Each mail link will contact one third of the legislature. Click all three to send a pre-formatted, pre-addressed email to each group. All you need to do is add your name.

Contact Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Governor Sanders office does not have a direct email, but instead uses a contact form. We’ve provided a letter template for you to use, simply copy and paste by clicking on the button below. It will copy the text of the letter that you can paste into the contact form.

Step 1: Press the Copy Wording button. A copy of the letter will be sent to your clipboard.

Step 2: Press the Contact the Governor button to be taken to the contact form. Link will open in a new window.

Standing With Charleston: A Community’s Fight for Respect

In the small town of Charleston, Arkansas—home to just 2,600 people—residents are facing a battle they didn’t choose. Without their knowledge or input, the Arkansas Department of Corrections and the Governor decided to build a 3,000-bed prison right in their backyard, purchasing 800 acres on Mill Creek Mountain in secret. 

The townspeople are taking a stand. They’re fighting to protect their community from a project that will not only devastate their town but also cost Arkansas taxpayers billions—far beyond the $470 million approved. Studies show there are better, more cost-effective locations, but the voices of Charleston have been ignored. Two coalitions have been formed, the Franklin County & River Valley Coalition (FCRVC) and Gravel & Grit, You Are The Power has allied with the Franklin County community, residents, and citizens to save the small town of Charleston from this unwanted development. 

Governor Sanders herself promised: 

 “I am committed to working with community members throughout the prison construction process as we invest hundreds of millions of dollars in Franklin County and create hundreds of recession-proof, good-paying jobs.” 

Now, we’re calling on the Governor and Senators to meet with the residents of Charleston. Hear their concerns. Respect the people who call this community home. 

At You Are The Power, we believe in human respect and the power of people to create change. The residents of Charleston are demanding transparency, accountability, and a government that listens to its people. Their fight is about more than stopping a prison—it’s about standing up for what’s right and ensuring decisions are made with the people, not against them. 

You can make a difference. Stand with Charleston. Share their story. Join their fight for justice. Together, we can hold those in power accountable and protect the dignity of every community. 

CALL TO ACTION: How You Can Support Franklin County

Right now, the most powerful support individuals can offer comes through awareness, amplification, and connection: 

1. Follow Gravel & Grit to stay informed and show support

This community-led team has been working every day for nearly a year to uncover facts, share documents, and keep residents informed.
Follow their updates, share their posts, and help amplify their work.
Every share increases visibility and helps ensure Franklin County is not ignored. 

2. Share verified updates with your networks

The people closest to this fight have been carrying the burden alone for too long.
Help spread awareness by sharing reliable information and updates with your community. 

3. Become a You Are The Power member

Joining YATP is an impactful way to stay apprised of new updates, action steps, and ways you can help support Franklin County and other communities across Arkansas.
Membership helps ensure we can respond quickly, share accurate information, and mobilize where needed — always grounded in the mission of human respect. 

November 2025 Update:

The Franklin County community, part of District 26 which is home to more than 86,000 Arkansans, is now facing one of the most consequential periods in the prison project fight without any representation in the State Senate. 

After the passing of Senator Stubblefield, the district’s Senate seat became vacant. Arkansas law requires that a special election be held within 150 days, yet the Governor scheduled the election 280 days after the vacancy. This decision would leave the district without representation throughout the entire 2026 fiscal session — the very session where decisions involving the Franklin County prison site are expected to surface again. 

Tired of the disregard shown to their community, one Franklin County resident filed suit arguing that leaving the district unrepresented during active legislative decision-making violates the constitutional rights of the people. The Arkansas Supreme Court denied the Governor’s request to pause the lower-court orders requiring an earlier election date, allowing the special election process to move forward. 

Meanwhile, new developments continue to emerge regarding the Mill Creek Mountain property: 

• The Department of Homeland Security is reportedly considering the site for an ICE detention facility, raising additional concerns about transparency, intent, and the long-term future of the land. 

• The Chickamauga Nation (West Region) has stated that the property contains Native American burial grounds, bringing significant ethical, cultural, and legal concerns into play. 

• Thousands in prison project funding has been squandered on consultant dinners and alcohol, with no accountability for tax-payer money. 

For months, Franklin County residents have shown up, spoken out, and advocated relentlessly. They have asked for transparency, honesty, and nothing more than the basic human respect every Arkansan deserves. 

 Being left without representation during decisions of this scale only deepens the harm and highlights the ongoing pattern of disregard this community has endured. 

Victory for Franklin County – But the Fight Isn’t Over

The people of Franklin County, Arkansas have made their voices heard — and it’s working.

Thanks to grassroots resistance and courageous community organizing, the Arkansas legislature failed to pass the appropriations bill needed to fund the proposed 3,000-bed mega-prison on Mill Creek Mountain. This delay is a significant step forward, giving Franklin County more time to raise awareness and stop the project for good. 

But this is far from over. The fight continues — and You Are The Power is here to stand with Franklin County.

UPDATE: Franklin County Prison Project 

A recent report confirmed what residents and advocates have been saying all along: the proposed prison site in Franklin County does not have the water capacity to support a facility of this size. 

Officials now plan to approach the City of Ozark to request water access. If Ozark declines—as many expect—this could mark the end of the project. But we can’t assume that will happen—we have to keep the pressure on. 

We encourage Arkansas residents to contact their county judges and sheriffs. Let them know you oppose the Franklin County prison project and want them to stand with the people in protecting our communities, our tax dollars, and our way of life. 

Franklin County deserves better. Arkansas deserves better