Sebastian County Detention Center — 2,879-bed capacity, Fort Smith, ICE inspection June 2025
Overview
The Sebastian County Detention Center (Adult Detention Center) in Fort Smith, Arkansas is one of the largest county jails in the state with a capacity of approximately 2,879 inmates. The facility was built in 1995 and expanded in 2007. It has a 287(g) agreement with ICE and had an ICE compliance inspection on June 10, 2025. Fort Smith is also one of the four cities where the Arkansas National Guard was deployed to assist ICE operations (10 personnel stationed there).
Key Details
- Capacity: Up to 2,879 inmates (built 1995, expanded 2007)
- Operator: Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office (Sheriff Hobe Runion, since 2019)
- 287(g): Confirmed agreement with ICE
- ICE inspection: June 10, 2025
- National Guard: 10 Guard personnel deployed to Fort Smith (Sept 2025)
- Location: Fort Smith sits on the Arkansas-Oklahoma border, a significant corridor
Why It Matters
Sebastian County’s large capacity (2,879 beds) makes it a potential significant detention resource for ICE in the Arkansas River Valley. The combination of a 287(g) agreement, National Guard deployment, and large jail capacity positions Fort Smith as a key node in Arkansas’s enforcement infrastructure beyond the NW Arkansas corridor.