Senate panel approves transfer of jail-standards office to Corrections, cites staffing shortage

Little Rock — The Senate committee approved House Bill 11 20, which transfers the criminal detention facility review office (commonly called jail standards) from DFNA to the Department of Corrections.

Secretary Solomon Graves told the committee the office supports inspections and standards for about 17 detention facilities but currently has only two statutory staff positions. "We have about 17 detention facilities ... we only have 2 individuals by statute who provide support to our detention review committees," Graves said, explaining the transfer would allow continuity of operations and the ability to temporarily assign staff to support the office.

The bill also requires sufficient administrative oversight before standards are submitted for promulgation and permits alternative inspection methods during declared emergencies. The sponsor and secretary said review committee members may still visit facilities and that the coordinator remains responsible for inspections under statute.

The committee approved the bill on a voice vote; the transcript does not include a roll-call tally. The measure will continue through the legislative process.