Where is the new Franklin County prison? Address, nearby towns, and what it means for visits

Arkansas purchased an 815-acre property in Franklin County for the new correctional facility. The deal was announced October 31, 2024, with a purchase price of $2,950,000. The address families will see most often - and the one to use for GPS or mapping - is 6310 South Highway 215 in Franklin County.

The site sits on Arkansas Highway 215, north of Charleston. For planning purposes, use the address from the state's assessment: 6310 South Highway 215 in Franklin County.

When mapping your route, Highway 215 is the key reference - that's how the state describes the location (north of Charleston). Pair that with the assessment address, 6310 South Highway 215, to make sure you're looking at the right spot.

According to the Department of Corrections, the property already has cell reception, water lines, electricity, and a fire department nearby. These aren't just construction conveniences - they're the basics that keep a facility running smoothly once it opens. Reliable utilities and nearby emergency services matter for day-to-day operations.

The state also pointed to workforce availability: more than 100,000 working-age adults live close enough to staff the facility. Why does that matter to families? Adequate staffing affects how smoothly things run - from programs getting started on time to having enough officers on hand for visitation.

A land survey found that some neighboring properties had small portions extending onto the purchased land. The Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA) plans to transfer those encroached areas back to the current landowners through quitclaim deeds - at no cost to them.

Practical Travel Tips Families

• ✓ Use “6310 South Highway 215, Franklin County” when you’re checking maps or GPS, and look for the site description on Arkansas Highway 215 north of Charleston.
• ✓ Don’t plan a visit based on assumptions - wait for official announcements about visitation rules, schedules, and check-in procedures once the facility is operating.
• ✓ Before you travel, confirm the current visitation details through official Arkansas Department of Corrections updates (policies can change during a new facility rollout).
• ✓ Build extra time into your trip plan for first visits; new facilities often have evolving procedures as they open and staff up.