Why Arkansas DOC Pages Are Showing Errors (and What Families Can Do Instead)

During our checks, several Arkansas Department of Corrections (DOC) web pages didn’t load normally. Instead of showing the usual page content, they returned a screen with only the text “nginx.” Below are the specific pages where we saw that result, so you can quickly tell whether you’re running into the same problem.

The Arkansas DOC “Publications” page under Community Correction returned content that contained only the text “nginx,” meaning the page content wasn’t available in that retrieval.

The Arkansas DOC “Residential Centers” office-locations page also returned content that contained only the text “nginx,” so the page content wasn’t available in that retrieval.

The East Central Arkansas Community Correction Center location page on the Arkansas DOC site returned content that contained only the text “nginx,” indicating the page content wasn’t available in that retrieval.

The Central Arkansas Community Correction Center location page on the Arkansas DOC site returned content that contained only the text “nginx,” indicating the page content wasn’t available in that retrieval.

The Arkansas DOC “Residential Services” page returned content that contained only the text “nginx,” meaning the page content wasn’t available in that retrieval.

When a page returns only the word “nginx,” it usually means you’re not actually seeing the DOC’s page content at all - you’re seeing a basic response from the web server layer instead. For you, the practical takeaway is simple: the information you expected (addresses, instructions, schedules, program details) may be temporarily unreachable from that page, even if the DOC site itself is still online in other areas. If you’re trying to make a time-sensitive decision, treat that “nginx” screen like a dead end and confirm details using another source.

1. Try a fresh browser check - Refresh once, then try a different browser or private/incognito mode to rule out a local caching issue.
2. Search for the same page title - Use a search engine to look up the page by name (for example, “Arkansas DOC Residential Services”) and see if a preview or alternate result shows the info you need.
3. Look for cached or archived copies - If the live page is blank or broken, a cached/archived snapshot may still show the last working version (steps for this are below).
4. Back up one level on the site - If a specific location page is failing, try the broader “locations” or “office locations” section to see if a directory page is still loading.
5. Check other official channels you already trust - If you have paperwork, prior emails, or a saved phone number from an earlier call, use that instead of relying on a broken webpage.
6. Ask a local source to confirm the current instructions - For questions that affect travel, check-in, or court-related timing, the local jail, sheriff’s office, or court clerk’s office can often confirm where someone is held and what the next step is.
7. Use community knowledge carefully - Local support groups can help you find the right office to call, but don’t rely on secondhand posts for rules, reporting instructions, or deadlines without confirming.

• ✓ Full legal name (including any known aliases)
• ✓ Date of birth
• ✓ ADC number (if you have it)
• ✓ Where you believe the person is housed (and where they were last housed)
• ✓ Your relationship to the person (spouse, parent, friend, attorney, etc.)
• ✓ A short list of questions you need answered (location, visiting process, phone/mail options, program/reporting instructions)
• ✓ Paperwork details (case number, court division, next court date - if applicable)
• ✓ A pen and a place to write down names, dates, and call-back instructions

1. Search for the page normally - Type the page name (or the full URL if you have it) into Google.
2. Open the result options - On many results, you can click the three-dot menu next to the listing to see more options.
3. Look for a cached version - If a cached option is available, open it and check whether the information you need is visible.
4. Treat cached info as a snapshot - Write down what you find, but plan to confirm it elsewhere before relying on it for anything time-sensitive.

1. Copy the exact URL - Use the full web address of the page that’s failing.
2. Paste it into the Wayback Machine - Enter the URL into the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine search.
3. Choose a snapshot date - If snapshots exist, pick the most recent one that loads.
4. Verify before acting - Archived pages can be outdated, so use them to get oriented (names, general instructions), then confirm current details through a live official source.

If Google doesn’t show a cached option, you can also try other search engines that sometimes surface cached previews, or third-party “cached page” viewers. Just remember what a cache is: a copy from a particular day, not a guarantee it’s current. If you find hours, reporting instructions, or requirements in a cached page, treat it as a lead and double-check it before you travel, send money, or miss a deadline.

When official pages won’t load, the riskiest mistakes are the time-sensitive ones - showing up on the wrong day, arriving at the wrong location, or following outdated instructions. If you’re trying to confirm visiting hours, reporting requirements, program participation details, or anything tied to a court timeline, slow down and verify. A quick phone call to a reliable office, or waiting until the official page is back, can save you a wasted trip and a lot of stress.

1. Start with what you already have - Use phone numbers or contact names from paperwork, prior emails, or earlier calls.
2. Call the local jail or sheriff’s office - Ask to confirm where the person is currently housed and whether they can share the correct contact point for DOC/community corrections questions.
3. Call the court clerk if it’s court-related - If your question involves a court date, hearing, or case status, the clerk’s office is often the best place to confirm the next scheduled step.
4. Use an attorney when deadlines matter - If missing a deadline could cause legal trouble, contact the person’s attorney (or public defender) for confirmation and guidance.
5. Write down what you’re told - Note the date/time, the person you spoke with, and any instructions you were given so you can reference it later.

Here’s what we can say with confidence from our checks: for the URLs listed above, the content we retrieved showed only “nginx,” including the Community Correction “Publications” page and the DOC “Residential Services” page. What we did not see in the material we reviewed was an official statement explaining the cause, scope, or a timeline for when those pages would return. And our checks were limited to the specific URLs noted in this article - other parts of the DOC site may behave differently.

Until the pages load normally again, the safest approach is to use caches/archives to get oriented, then confirm anything time-sensitive by phone or through another official channel you already trust. If you’re stuck, focus on the basics first: where the person is, who has authority over the next step, and what you need to do today versus what can wait.