Editor’s note: This is the final installment of a three-part series.
Candidates for the Jefferson County sheriff’s office leveled sharp criticisms against incumbent Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr. during a recent candidate forum, focusing primarily on issues of jail management, transparency and collaboration with other law enforcement agencies.
Challenger Chris Lowery, an independent candidate and law enforcement veteran, led the charge, accusing the current administration of a lack of openness, particularly regarding events within the county jail.
“Two people were murdered in that jail in the past 60 to 90 days,” he said. “This is the first time I’ve heard anything about it publicly… With me, transparency will happen. If you ask me a question, you’ll get an answer. If you put in the FOIA, you’ll get it, unlike what we’re currently receiving.”
Lowery also expressed frustration with the jail’s intake process for new arrests, stating that as a working law enforcement professional, he is “more times than not to get told ‘no'” when he contacts the jail to book a criminal, including felons in possession of a firearm. Lowery proposed a plan to alleviate overcrowding by converting a vacant building into a nonviolent offender work release center, a concept he says is viable and that he would “figure out how we get to a ‘yes.'”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Woods defended his administration, emphasizing his experience and current programs. He stated that the jail’s capacity was reduced from 316 due to “security vulnerabilities” and that its operation is governed by constitutional and Supreme Court mandates, particularly regarding inmate care. He highlighted his investment in recidivism reduction.
However, Mark Cannon, the third candidate on the panel, criticized the speed of the sheriff’s efforts on education and reform. When addressing education and career technical programs for detainees, Cannon remarked that the sheriff has been exploring options for seven years. Cannon asserted that there is “no educational system currently in that administration” and vowed to be “all for education,” partnering with any institution to improve the jail.
On the subject of strengthening community trust, both challengers advocated for a more visible and engaged style of community policing.
Lowey stated that the sheriff’s office is not “getting involved at a high level within the city of Pine Bluff” and proposed to “integrate with every law enforcement entity within our county to combat the biggest problem that we have, and that’s violence and crime.”
Cannon championed community policing. “You have to get out and interact with the people. My deputies, I will require every single one that’s on patrol, get out, knock on doors, introduce yourselves to people in the community because that’s when you’re serving,” he said.
Woods responded by defending his community engagement, citing his deputies’ help to pack food earlier that morning and his “servant leader” philosophy. He also pointed to active collaboration, including the joint deployment of the SWAT team with the Pine Bluff Police Department and his office’s management of a drug task force operating across three counties.
Each candidate laid out their personal and professional foundations for seeking the office.
The 32nd sheriff of Jefferson County, Woods highlighted his 27 years in law enforcement at the same agency. He earned a degree in criminal justice and later an MBA, citing the business degree as necessary for managing the sheriff’s office’s “$14 million budget.”
He is running for reelection, he said, because he believes “leadership is not a reason to do less. But it’s a reason to do more.”
Lowery, a native of the county, is a U.S. Air Force first sergeant and a law enforcement veteran who also owns a local K-9 business. He stated he decided to run because “this is not the Jefferson County that it used to be,” and it is “time for a new change. I am that change.”
Cannon spoke emotionally about the murder of his brother and sister, stating he “shouldn’t be here” but that his painful experiences led him to become a community activist and advocate. The 26-year business owner said he chose to run for sheriff because it was “like in Epiphany” and that he has already faced threats, but he will not give up the fight.
Candidates were asked to describe the importance of character and temperament in the role of a sheriff.
“Character is integrity; what you do when people are not looking is who you are,” said Woods. “A sheriff must have a great temperament to withstand scrutiny and not respond to the rhetoric.”
Lowery said his core values are integrity, service before self and excellence. “He must have great moral and character to enforce the law, fair and firm and consistent across the board,” he said. “Horrible character means nobody’s gonna believe you’re doing the right thing.”
Cannon said character is highly important and he would choose his name over a million dollars. The candidates offered distinct approaches to building or strengthening trust with the youth and underserved neighborhoods.
Woods’ focus is on strengthening, not rebuilding. He is a “servant leader,” he said, who works alongside his deputies during community events. Woods said his administration increased patrol visibility in rural areas and actively collaborates with the Pine Bluff Police on joint operations, such as SWAT and drug task forces.
Lowery said he believes the current office is not “getting involved at a high level” in the city and promised to “integrate with every law enforcement entity within our county, to combat the biggest problem that we have, and that’s violence and crime.” He said he will serve the citizens of all areas, regardless of municipal boundaries.
Woods cited the county as the first to have an evidence-based opioid abuse program in the facility, which is a $600,000 investment. He notes a lowered capacity due to security vulnerabilities and the inherent dangers that exist, including “death, suicide, assaults,” which “exist very much inside of a jail.”
Lowery promised to go to the jail to “clean that jail up” immediately upon taking office. He would propose turning a vacant commercial building into a nonviolent offender work-release center to ease overcrowding and allow inmates to keep their jobs. He also vowed to bring in medical staff and ensure deputies are certified in CPR.
Cannon stated the jail is not currently overcrowded. His first step would be to implement body cameras on every deputy working within the jail, which he believes ensures accountability by providing evidence that can “either exonerate you or convict you.” He emphasized that detainees are “still human beings” whose rights must be protected.
The candidates gave their views on educational programming in the jail. Woods stated his administration currently has a school within the female facility for GED and specialized support for mental health and learning disabilities. He is exploring a nationally recognized program for workplace and career readiness, but must be “strategic” about who participates due to the serious nature of many of the charges.
Lowery said he has already begun establishing a board of advisers for the jail, including pastors and educators. He said he is tired of seeing criminals arrested “38-40 times” because there is “nothing going on to cut down on the recidivism.”
Cannon asserted there is no educational system in the current administration. He argued that the lack of education makes it difficult to move forward and is a contributing factor to people repeatedly going “right back in” jail.
Plans for deputy training and accountability were another topic of discussion.
Woods, who cited his role on the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Training to set standards, stated he is “accountable to employees” and the people, and his strong character and temperament are key to maintaining focus and leadership.
In closing, candidates stressed accountability and change. Lowery promised to exceed state-mandated training hours by instituting a minimum of 40 hours of continual training for deputies, saying he would “put the lawman back in the sheriff’s position and take a politician out of her period.”
Cannon promised to incorporate body cameras for all deputies and “make sure that everybody’s held accountable,” ending with a plea to voters. “We had 7 years of the current administration. It’s time for a change. It’s time to give someone else an opportunity.”
The forum was sponsored by the Pine Bluff Branch of the NAACP and the IBPO Elks of the World and moderated by Michael McCray.
