By Jon Gambrell
The Associated Press
LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas lawmakers again will travel to a state prison after a series of high-profile incidents ranging from convicts escaping to an inmate’s near death, but enthusiasm for investigating the system appears to be waning.
Several lawmakers who called for inquiries now say they are satisfied with explanations by prison director Larry Norris. Another longtime legislator acknowledged problems still exist in the system, though nothing can be done without Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe.
That means the prison system, which provides free inmate labor at the Capitol and the governor’s mansion, will continue to operate largely under Department of Correction oversight despite recent criticism.
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