Why the Northwest Arkansas Work Release Center page shows an error and what family members can do

Right now, when you try to load the Northwest Arkansas Work Release Center page on the Arkansas Department of Corrections website, all you get back is the single word "nginx." That's a web server label, not actual page content. It typically signals a server error or access block (something like a 403 Forbidden response). The bottom line: the normal page just isn't loading.

This isn't limited to one facility page. Other, unrelated sections of the Arkansas DOC website are doing the same thing, returning nothing but the word "nginx" instead of actual content. The DOC COVID-19 updates page? Just "nginx." The ACA accreditation page? Same. An Inmate Programs page (page 4) also came back with only "nginx." When multiple sections of a site fail the same way, it almost always points to a broader hosting or access-control problem, not a single page being taken down on purpose.

The practical takeaway is simple: the official page you'd normally use to confirm details isn't available right now. That makes it risky to assume anything has changed based on the error alone. An inaccessible page doesn't automatically mean visiting rules changed, mail rules changed, or your loved one's status changed. It usually just means you need a different way to verify things before you make plans, take time off work, or travel.

S4

• ✓ Try loading the page again later. Short outages and access errors often resolve after a few hours.
• ✓ Try a different device or connection (for example, switching between Wi-Fi and cellular data).

1. Search for the page address - Use a search engine to look up the exact page you were trying to view.
2. Open any cached or saved copy - If a cached result is available, it may show a recent snapshot of the page.
3. Check the date on what you find - A cached or archived page can be out of date, so treat it as a reference, not a guarantee.
4. Verify the key detail another way - If you are planning a visit, a call or written confirmation is safer than relying on an old snapshot.

• ✓ Check for announcements from official Arkansas DOC channels (for example, public updates they post during service interruptions or policy changes).

• ✓ If you already have a trusted phone number or email for the facility or the DOC, use it to confirm what you need (visiting schedule, identification requirements, property and mail rules, or where your loved one is housed).
• ✓ If you do not have contact information saved, look for it on other official paperwork you have received (letters, approval notices, or previous confirmations).

• ✓ If you are considering going in person, confirm access rules first. Do not make a long trip based only on an error page.
• ✓ If timing is urgent (court, transfer concerns, medication issues), prioritize direct confirmation through the facility or DOC rather than waiting for the website to come back.

When the DOC site is unreliable, misinformation spreads fast. Do your best to cross-check anything you hear, especially if it affects travel, money, or deadlines. If two sources conflict, give the most weight to what you can confirm directly with the facility or DOC staff, or in writing from an official notice. Be careful with third-party pages that promise "instant" details for a fee. Some are outdated, some are scraped from old records, and some mix facilities together. Before you show up for a visit, send money, or mail something time-sensitive, get confirmation from an official source. You don't want to lose time or have items rejected.

S6

• ✓ Check the page periodically (for example, once a day) instead of refreshing repeatedly.
• ✓ Keep a simple log of what you tried (dates, times, who you contacted, and what you were told). This helps if you get different answers later.

If the outage drags on and you can't get a basic question answered (like whether a visit is allowed, where to send mail, or how to handle an urgent issue), look for help outside the website. Depending on your situation, that could mean contacting a local advocacy organization familiar with corrections, or reaching out to an elected representative's constituent services office to request assistance. Stick to the facts, share your timeline, and focus on the specific information you need.