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Arkansas House Committee Advances Prison Overhaul Proposal

An Arkansas House committee has endorsed a key part of Gov. Asa Hutchinson's plan to overhaul the state prison system and reduce overcrowding at county jails.

The House Judiciary Committee in a voice vote Thursday advanced the bill to the full House. It allows the state to partner with county jails on regional facilities to help clear the backlog of more than 2,600 state inmates at county jails. It also allows inmates to apply for Medicaid benefits and provides avenues for them to enroll in drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs.

The bill also reclassifies residential burglary as a violent crime and was opposed by defense attorneys who say it will harm efforts to ease overcrowding by allowing warrantless searches of parolees by law enforcement.

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