‘Condemn the place:’ West Memphis correctional center without A/C for days, loved ones of inmates speak

WEST MEMPHIS, Arkansas. (WMC) - According to the Arkansas Department of Corrections, the AC has been out since late last week at the East Central Arkansas Community Correction Center in West Memphis.

The department said those issues were affected further by the ongoing boil water notice in the area.

A spokesperson for the DOC said the maintenance director at the center brought in some temporary solutions while waiting for the issues to be fixed.

The last update the maintenance director gave the DOC was that the chillers were in the process of being restored.

But in the meantime, loved ones say the inmates are having to bear the heat.

“I video chatted with her. You can tell she’s just pouring sweat. You know, you can tell she’s got her hair up, and she’s just got sweat rolling off of her. She’s just frustrated, just wants some help. Just get some air, something cold to drink,” said Robbin Sharp, whose son’s girlfriend is currently in the facility serving a nine-month sentence.

Sharp said she heard from the girlfriend that it was 115 degrees Fahrenheit inside the building at times. She said there were also other issues due to the heat.

“She told me that they didn’t have enough drinking water and the milk they had gotten for their meals got chunks in it. And she said the only way she could get anything cold to drink was if you had money on your books to get a cold drink out of the machines,” said Sharp.

The DOC said it takes time to restore the chillers. The spokesperson said they brought in temporary AC units and portable water tanks, which have provided some relief.

However, Sharp said this is an issue that happens every year.

“During the wintertime, they have no hot water. That you have to take a cold shower, and my understanding is that right now, they can’t even flush the commodes,” said Sharp.

She said something else has to be done to help the inmates.

“If the facility is this bad, they need to condemn the place,” said Sharp.

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