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For additional information, please contact Communications Director Cindy Murphy at cindy.murphy@arkansas.gov
November 28, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TWO DIVISION OF CORRECTION INMATES PRONOUNCED DEAD IN UNRELATED INCIDENTS
PINE BLUFF – On Wednesday, November 25, 2020, a Division of Correction inmate was pronounced deceased at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro. The Grimes Unit inmate was undergoing treatment for COVID-related symptoms. The inmate was in his late 40s and serving a 10-year sentence for sexual assault.
On Saturday, November 28, 2020, staff at Ouachita River Correctional Unit observed inmate Demeckus Singleton #154615 hanging in a locked single-man cell. Responding correctional officers and medical staff were unable to detect a pulse. Inmate Singleton was pronounced dead at 12:20 p.m. The Arkansas State Police (ASP) was immediately notified and responded to the unit. ASP will be conducting an investigation into the death. The Division of Correction will be conducting an internal investigation into the death.
Inmate Singleton was a 28-year-old black male serving a 20-year sentence out of Columbia County for theft of property, terroristic threatening and absconding.
November 13, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NORTH LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Department of Corrections is mourning the loss today of East Arkansas Regional Unit Field Sgt. Travis C. Wallace. Sgt. Wallace, who was a 5-year veteran of the Division of Correction (ADC), was killed Thursday evening while on duty serving as an officer with the Helena – West Helena Police Department.
Sgt. Wallace, 41, was struck by gunfire from suspect Latarius Howard, 29, outside the Delta Inn, located on U.S. Highway 49 in Helena-West Helena. Sgt. Wallace and other local police officers had been looking for Howard, who was wanted on charges stemming from a shooting incident in Helena – West Helena about a week ago.
Howard was captured at 6 a.m. in Shaw, Mississippi, according to Arkansas State Police, which will be the lead law enforcement agency investigating the incident.
Arkansas Corrections Secretary Solomon Graves and Division of Correction Director Dexter Payne expressed their heartfelt condolences to the Wallace family.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Wallace family and the Helena – West Helena Police Department,” Secretary Graves said. “Officer Wallace is one of our own. This loss is immeasurable and indescribable. In times like these, the strength of our family, and our individual faith, will see us through.”
November 3, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NORTH LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Department of Corrections, Division of Community Correction Sex Offender Services, coordinated a massive, statewide Halloween home visit effort on Saturday. More than 50 officers made unannounced visits to the homes of 640 sex offenders to make sure they were in compliance with state laws prohibiting their activities. Halloween lock-ins for sex offenders, organized by the Division in previous years, were not possible because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Arkansas families celebrated Halloween during the weekend for the second time since the enaction of Act 463, which bars certain sex offenders from participating in Halloween-related activities.
State laws limiting sex offenders from participating in Halloween activities are in affect two weeks before and two weeks after Halloween. Level 3 and 4 sex offenders who violate Act 463 restrictions may be charged with a Class D felony, serving up to six years in jail and a fine up to $10,000.
Act 463 bans these offenders from handing out candy to minors, participating in trick-or-treating and attending events involving wearing costumes or handing out candy to children. Sex offenders identified as high risk must remain at home on Halloween and are required to post signs warning that children are not to trick-or-treat at their residences.
Jennifer Dean, Division Sex Offender Services Manager, reported a 92 percent overall compliance rate from the Saturday home visits. Fifty-nine offenders were found to be in violation, with violations including failure to register as sex offenders, Halloween decoration violations and failure to display no trick-or-treater doorhangers. Efforts are ongoing to bring non-compliant offenders into compliance and, in some cases, to sanction them for violations.
November 2, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NORTH LITTLE ROCK – Visitation to Arkansas Department of Corrections prisons and community correction centers will remain suspended, through November 13, 2020, pending approval of a plan that will be submitted to the Arkansas Department of Health.
We understand how important visitation is for inmates and residents to maintain a bond with their families while incarcerated. The safe resumption of in-person visitation is a priority for the Board of Corrections, Secretary Solomon Graves, and both Division Directors. We greatly appreciate the ongoing patience and understanding of residents, inmates and their loved ones as well as the overwhelming support our staff has received during this public health crisis. While visitation is suspended, we encourage friends and family to remain in contact through phone calls and video visits. To help with that, we have worked with our communications partners to provide lower rates for phone calls and video visitation.
Visitation status updates will be posted on the Department’s website at http://doc.arkansas.gov .
October 23, 2020
MEETING NOTICE
The Arkansas Board of Corrections will meet on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at 10 a.m. in the Arkansas State Police Training Room at the Wrightsville Unit. The address is 8400 Hwy 386 East, Wrightsville.
October 23, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DIVISION OF CORRECTION INMATE PRONOUNCED DEAD AT LOCAL HOSPITAL
PINE BLUFF – On Friday, October 23, 2020, a Division of Correction inmate was pronounced deceased at White River Health System Grasse Memorial Clinic in Calico Rock. The North Central Unit inmate was undergoing treatment for COVID-related symptoms. The inmate was in his early 60s and serving a 40-year sentence for first-degree murder.
October 20, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DIVISION OF CORRECTION INMATE PRONOUNCED DEAD AT LOCAL HOSPITAL
PINE BLUFF – On Tuesday, October 20, 2020, a Division of Correction inmate was pronounced deceased at Baptist Health – Hot Spring County in Malvern. The Ouachita River Correctional Unit inmate was undergoing treatment for COVID-related symptoms. The inmate was in his mid-60s and serving a 20-year sentence for rape.
October 19, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DIVISION OF CORRECTION INMATE PRONOUNCED DEAD AT TEXAS HOSPITAL
PINE BLUFF – On Sunday, October 18, 2020, an Arkansas Division of Correction inmate was pronounced deceased at Wadley Regional Medical Center in Texarkana, Texas. The Bowie County (Texas) Correctional Center inmate was undergoing treatment for COVID-related symptoms. The inmate was in his mid-60s and serving a 210-year sentence for rape.
October 5, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DIVISION OF CORRECTION INMATE PRONOUNCED DEAD AT LOCAL HOSPITAL
PINE BLUFF – On Saturday, October 4, 2020, a Division of Correction inmate was pronounced deceased at Baptist Health – North Little Rock. The Varner Unit inmate was undergoing treatment for COVID-related symptoms. The inmate was in his early 60s and serving a life sentence for rape.
