The Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility, situated at 3201 West Roosevelt Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72204, stands as the largest county detention facility in Arkansas. Opened in 1994, this crucial institution within Pulaski County’s criminal justice system routinely houses over 1,200 detainees daily. Serving as the sole long-term detention center in the county, it provides essential support to twelve law enforcement agencies and thirty-three state and local courts. The facility operates under the “Direct Supervision” inmate management concept, ensuring both security and cost-effectiveness. Maintaining an operation of this scale necessitates specialized divisions and sections, each dedicated to upholding a constitutionally sound environment. Below is a detailed look into these divisions and their respective functions.
Court Liaison Office: Bridging the Detention Facility and the Courts
The Court Liaison Office acts as the critical communication hub between the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility (PCRDF) and over 30 District, Circuit, and Federal Courts. This office is paramount in guaranteeing that every individual booked into the facility is presented before the court within the legally mandated timeframe. Each day, personnel meticulously prepare court lists for both Circuit and District Courts, ensuring the smooth transport of detainees the following day. Furthermore, the Court Liaison Office collaborates closely with public defenders and various district court personnel to optimize the efficiency of video arraignment processes.
Data management is another core function, with the office responsible for extensive data entry into inmate computer and paper files post-booking. This includes processing releases as ordered by the courts. The office also manages the distribution of vital legal documents, court dockets, warrants, arrest disposition reports, checks, and DNA test kits, facilitating communication between the courts, prosecutor’s office, state crime lab, and relevant jurisdictional agencies. Crucially, the Court Liaison Office maintains a comprehensive record of all inmates sentenced to the Arkansas Department of Corrections, ensuring a seamless weekly transfer and updated records for efficient transitions.
Detention Training Division: Ensuring Professional Standards
The Detention Training Division is committed to fostering excellence through comprehensive training programs for all new PCRDF employees, both sworn and civilian. Every new sworn employee undergoes a rigorous 280-hour Basic Detention Academy, complemented by a minimum of 120 hours of on-the-job training, meticulously scheduled and managed by the Training Division. Civilian employees receive a minimum of 16 hours of initial training. Continuing professional development is a priority, with all employees participating in 32 to 40 hours of annual in-service training, also organized and managed by the Training Division. Responding to evolving needs, the division also develops and conducts specialized training sessions as requested by supervisory personnel to address specific operational requirements and enhance staff capabilities.
FOI’s/Court: Transparency and Legal Compliance
The Administrative Sergeant plays a vital role in ensuring transparency and legal compliance. This position is responsible for compiling and managing documentation for court trials at the request of attorney offices. Responding to subpoenas, the Administrative Sergeant appears in court to provide testimony as the Keeper of Records, ensuring the facility’s adherence to legal processes. Handling Freedom of Information (FOI) requests from both the public and various agencies is another key responsibility, demonstrating the facility’s commitment to openness. The Sergeant also serves legal paperwork to detainees on behalf of the PCSO Judicial Division and surrounding counties, ensuring legal processes are properly served within the detention environment. Daily, the Administrative Sergeant meticulously logs and documents claims related to the National School Lunch Program, and annually renews the DHS application and contract to ensure continued grant funding. Furthermore, the Sergeant facilitates pest control within the facility by escorting contracted technicians through all areas requiring treatment, maintaining a healthy and safe environment.
Housing and Security: Maintaining Order and Safety
Housing and Security personnel are at the forefront of inmate care and supervision within the PCRDF. Their primary responsibility is to operate each housing unit in a manner that is constitutional, safe, and secure, strictly adhering to the guidelines set forth by the U.S. Constitution and all applicable Federal, State, and Local Laws. Unit Deputies are tasked with a wide range of critical functions: maintaining clean, safe, and environmentally healthy living conditions; ensuring an orderly daily routine; safeguarding the well-being of both staff and inmates; and preventing escapes. These deputies are crucial in upholding the integrity and security of the detention facility while ensuring humane treatment for all individuals in custody, whether awaiting trial or serving sentences.
Inmate Classification: Promoting a Safe Environment Through Behavioral Management
The PCRDF’s operation is fundamentally based on the Direct Supervision Concept, which is further enhanced by a behavior-oriented classification system. This system is designed to assign inmates to housing units based primarily on their past history and current behavior. By strategically grouping inmates with similar behavioral profiles, the facility aims to cultivate a more positive and safer environment throughout all detention units. This proactive approach to inmate management is essential for maintaining order and minimizing potential conflicts within the facility, contributing to the overall safety and well-being of both inmates and staff.
Inmate Coordinator: Managing Inmate Time and Programs
The Inmate Coordinator’s Office plays a central role in overseeing all inmates committed to the PCRDF. A key function is the daily monitoring of time computation for approximately 150 inmates, ensuring accurate tracking of sentences and release dates. The office also manages the Weekend/Day Work Program, monitoring approximately 220 inmates participating in these initiatives. Daily, Inmate Release Lists are meticulously prepared, typically listing around 10 inmates scheduled for release. The Inmate Coordinator’s Office also addresses inmate requests, handling an average of 25 Inmate Request Forms daily through Inmate Services, providing essential support and information to the inmate population.
Inmate Disciplinary: Upholding Facility Rules and Regulations
Maintaining order and discipline within the PCRDF is achieved through the Inmate Disciplinary section. Inmates are held accountable for rule violations and are subject to disciplinary actions. On average, fifteen disciplinary hearings are conducted each day to address infractions. The section also manages appeals, with approximately ten appeals filed and processed daily, ensuring a fair and just disciplinary process. Furthermore, a comprehensive file is maintained for each inmate identified as having gang affiliations. This file includes details on known associations, tattoos, and street nicknames, aiding in security and management strategies within the facility.
Inmate Grievances: Addressing Inmate Concerns and Ensuring Fair Processes
The Grievance Officer is responsible for managing the Inmate Grievance process, addressing concerns raised by inmates within the facility. All Grievance Forms submitted by inmates are carefully reviewed and then directed to the relevant department for thorough investigation and research. Following investigation, the forms are returned to the Grievance Officer with appropriate responses. Inmates receive a written response to their grievances within ten working days. Upon return of the response, signatures are obtained from inmates, documenting receipt. If an inmate remains unsatisfied with the response, they have the option to appeal the decision to the Chief of Detention, ensuring a multi-tiered review process. All grievances are systematically numbered and documented in a logbook for future reference and record-keeping. Once the grievance process is complete, these records are filed and retained for a period of five years.
Inmate Records: Maintaining Comprehensive Inmate Information
The Inmate Records Clerk is essential for the efficient management of inmate information within the facility. Daily tasks include managing the inmate records mailbox, retrieving phone messages, and responding to inquiries. The Records Clerk is responsible for maintaining, storing, and filing a wide range of records pertaining to all inmates housed at the PCRDF. These records encompass permanent paper files, negative/positive behavior assessment reports, logs, and census data, creating a comprehensive inmate profile. The Records Clerk oversees four active file rooms and manages the storage of grievances, Central Control Logs, and Housing and Security files, ensuring organized and accessible record-keeping. Additionally, the Records Clerk fulfills requests for incarceration reports from other state and federal agencies, processes Notice of Expungements and Order to Seal records, and retrieves copies to process Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, demonstrating the section’s role in legal compliance and information dissemination. Accountability for SO numbers, file rooms, and outdated files is also maintained by the Records Clerk, ensuring data integrity and efficient record management.
Inmate Services: Providing Programs and Support for Rehabilitation
The Inmate Services Section is dedicated to inmate rehabilitation and well-being, coordinating with community-based programs to offer valuable self-help resources to inmates. These programs are strategically designed to integrate community support and reduce recidivism rates through classroom instruction and instructional media. Inmate Services also collaborates with the court system to provide intervention classes to inmates during their incarceration, addressing underlying issues and promoting positive change. Beyond self-help programs, Inmate Services facilitates access to essential amenities for inmates, including haircuts, phone calling cards, and indigent supplies. They also manage the inmate barbershop. Education is a priority, with Inmate Services providing GED programs and testing opportunities. They are also responsible for ensuring educational benefits are provided to juveniles (under 18) housed in the facility, with classes for GED and juveniles conducted by the Little Rock School District. The Chaplain program also falls under Inmate Services, offering religious services, Bibles, counseling, and overseeing approximately 200 religious volunteers who provide Bible Study and conduct baptisms, catering to the spiritual needs of the inmate population.
Inmate Visitation: Facilitating Connections with the Outside World
The Visitation Clerks are the primary point of contact for the public seeking to visit inmates. They are responsible for responding to visitors, clergy, attorneys, law enforcement agencies, and rehabilitation agencies requesting visitation. The Visitation section is staffed by one sworn deputy and four civilian clerks. On average, the clerks schedule over 2000 visitation appointments per month, facilitating crucial connections between inmates and their families, legal counsel, and support networks.
Intake Section: Ensuring Legal and Safe Admissions
The Intake Section is tasked with the critical responsibility of safely and efficiently admitting individuals into the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility. This process is conducted in strict compliance with Arkansas Jail Standards and all applicable State and Federal Laws. A paramount concern for Intake is preventing wrongful confinement. To this end, the section meticulously ensures that custody of any individual is only accepted with documented legal authority, safeguarding against unlawful detention.
Kitchen: Providing Food Services and Commissary Operations
The PCRDF Kitchen operates in partnership with a vendor, Aramark Correctional Food Service, to provide comprehensive food services. Aramark serves approximately 3,000 meals per day, including around 50 diet trays catering to specific dietary needs. These meals are designed to provide a total of 3,000 calories daily (with the exception of medically prescribed diet meals, which vary as needed). The facility provides Aramark with inmate labor, assigning 17 inmates (34 in total across two shifts) daily to assist in kitchen operations. It is important to note that inmates do not cook the food; their roles involve preparing trays, cleaning, lifting, dishwashing, and tray delivery, supporting the overall efficiency of the kitchen. Aramark also offers lunch services for deputies and staff members for a nominal fee, paid by the employee.
Aramark further provides commissary services, enabling inmates to purchase food and hygiene items. Family members and friends can deposit funds into an inmate’s account via kiosks located in the visitation area or through money orders. Online deposits can also be made through iCare.
Laundry: Maintaining Hygiene and Cleanliness
The PCRDF Laundry operates six days a week, from 0700 to 1900, ensuring the facility maintains high standards of hygiene and cleanliness. The Laundry Section is staffed by 4 full-time sworn personnel and 2 civilian personnel. A team of at least 7 inmate trustees is assigned to the Laundry Section, responsible for the collection, washing, and distribution of laundry to the inmate population. These trustees work under the direct supervision of laundry supervisors. Inmate clothing, linens, and personal items are laundered twice a week, and blankets are laundered once a month. The laundry processes approximately 50 loads of laundry per day, ensuring a consistent supply of clean linens and clothing within the facility.
Medical Department: Comprehensive Healthcare Services for Inmates
The Medical Department, operated by TurnKey, provides a wide spectrum of essential healthcare services within the PCRDF. These responsibilities include: conducting medical and mental health screenings for all inmates upon booking; administering medication to inmates with prescriptions twice daily; operating a Chronic Care Clinic five days a week; providing Sick Call services seven days a week; offering Mental Health Services five days a week; delivering Dental services 16 hours per week; providing Physician Care 8 hours per week; staffing Advanced Practice Registered Nurses for 40 hours per week; offering Psychiatric Care 16 hours per week; responding to all emergency codes within the facility; administering treatments seven days a week; ensuring nursing coverage 24/7; providing clearances for inmate kitchen workers; conducting TB skin tests on all newly booked inmates; offering on-site X-ray capabilities; performing lab tests (blood draws); coordinating healthcare services for pregnant inmates; maintaining all inmate medical records; scheduling outside medical appointments; conducting History and Physical assessments on all inmates within 14 days of incarceration; providing TB Skin Testing and Hep B Vaccinations for detention staff; and delivering emergency first aid, assessment, stabilization, and coordination of transport for staff and visitors who become ill or injured within the facility. This comprehensive medical provision is critical to ensuring the health and well-being of both the inmate population and facility staff.
Public Affairs Unit: Communication and Media Relations
The Public Affairs Unit is dedicated to building and maintaining positive relationships with authorized news media. A representative from the Public Affairs Unit is available to the media around the clock, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, serving as a constant point of contact. The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office policy emphasizes full and impartial cooperation with the news media in their efforts to gather factual public information regarding Sheriff’s Office activities, provided that these activities do not disrupt departmental operations, infringe on individual rights, or violate the law. The Public Affairs Unit also manages all social media accounts for the Sheriff’s Office, maintaining online communication channels. Furthermore, this unit oversees the CrimeStopper hotline and manages job recruitment efforts for the Sheriff’s Office, playing a multifaceted role in public communication and departmental support.
Special Emergency Response Team (S.E.R.T.): Responding to Critical Incidents
The Detention Facility Special Emergency Response Team (S.E.R.T.) is a highly trained and equipped unit of detention facility personnel. S.E.R.T. is prepared to respond to a wide range of emergencies within the detention facility, including barricaded inmates, cell extractions, high-risk incidents, and hostage situations. Each S.E.R.T. member receives specialized training in firearms, CPR/first aid, chemical agents, riot formations, mob dynamics, hostage situations, use of force, communications, and legal responsibilities, among other critical areas. Team selection involves a physical agility test, which members must also pass annually to maintain their qualifications, ensuring they are physically and mentally prepared for emergency response.
Transport Section: Ensuring Secure Inmate Transportation
The primary function of the Transport Section is to ensure the safe and secure transportation of all inmates held at the PCRDF to their assigned courts. Transport personnel also pick up inmates from the Department of Corrections for court appearances and subsequently return them upon completion of their court proceedings. Additional responsibilities include conducting hospital runs, transporting inmates to medical appointments, and providing security for the Courthouse Lock-up. The Transport Section also handles the transportation of juveniles to and from Juvenile Detention Facilities throughout the state for court hearings and detention, managing a diverse range of transportation needs within the criminal justice system.
Warehouse/Supplies: Managing Facility Logistics and Inventory
The facility warehouse is operated by one full-time sworn deputy and one civilian employee, forming the backbone of facility logistics. They are responsible for the comprehensive inventory management, receiving, and delivery of all supplies to the various sections within the PCRDF. This ensures that all departments are adequately equipped with the necessary resources to maintain smooth and efficient operations.
Conclusion
The Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility is a complex and multifaceted institution that plays a vital role in the criminal justice system of Little Rock and Pulaski County. Through its specialized divisions and dedicated personnel, the facility strives to maintain a secure, constitutionally sound, and efficiently run operation, serving a diverse range of needs from detention and security to inmate services and court liaison. Understanding the structure and functions of each division provides valuable insight into the inner workings of this essential facility within the community.
