ACC transition to West Memphis facility moving along
ACC transition to West Memphis facility moving along
Renovations, hiring underway
ralphhardin@gmail.com Arkansas Department of Community Correction has started the move in process at the former Crittenden Regional Hospital and plans to start hiring soon.
“We’re over there already and have started to clean up the building,” said Dina Tyler, Deputy Director for Public Affairs.
The Pine Bluff community petitioned to block the move, but Governor Asa Hutchinson signed off on the relocation last month, paving the way for the ACC to move the center to West Memphis. The ACC will occupy the old hospital by way of a lease agreement with the county to house a rehabilitation treatment center that will hold 350 non-violent female inmates, mostly drug offenders.
The move will also bring 138 new jobs to West Memphis which will range from corrections officers, counseling professionals, medical and other staff. Although about 15 percent of the Pine Bluff staff have taken the offer to transfer to West Memphis, a number of openings remain. The ACC is advertising for corrections officers, program advisors, and administrative assistants.
“We had people stop by asking about jobs,” Tyler said. She took the inquiries as “a good sign that the community is interested in what we are doing.”
The facility will have a $6 million payroll with salaries ranging from $25,000 to $52,000. To apply for a position at the ACC facility, go online to https://www.ark.org/arstatejobs/ index.php, and select “Arkansas Department of Community Correction” from the drop-down menu.
The site currently lists more than 40 positions open. You will need to create an account to apply.
As part of the lease agreement ACC will be responsible for making about $650,000 in necessary renovations and repairs to the facility, which has been vacant since August 2014 when the hospital closed and declared bankruptcy.
ACC officials say they expect to be able to move in to the building by early-tomid-
June.
By Ralph Hardin
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