On Wednesday, September 8 from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Benton County’s Justice System Improvement Program will be hosting its first community-wide virtual conference. After conferring with small groups, organizations and stakeholders, the program is ready to open the discussion to the community at large.
The plan is for the program to kick off its broader public engagement efforts, presenting their concepts to the community as they gear up for the November 2022 bond measure. The new proposed facilities include a crisis center, which will serve as a treatment-centered alternative to imprisonment for community members experiencing unaddressed behavioral health issues, providing stabilization options and referrals to ongoing mental health services. Other buildings being proposed include a safer and more accessible courthouse, a larger correctional facility, and sheriff and emergency options.
These proposals have been in the works for a few years now, starting with the Criminal Justice System Assessment between 2017 and 2019. More details about the project can be found on the County’s webpage.
Community members who are interested in sharing their ideas and/or concerns can register for the virtual conference here.
By Jalen Todd
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