CHARLESTON (KATV) – The state of Arkansas has purchased land in Charleston to build a new prison that will house up to 3,000 inmates, Gov. Sarah Sanders and the Arkansas Department of Corrections announced Thursday.

State officials say the 815-acre property was purchased for $2,950,000 after a months-long search.

While officials say it is too early to provide a full cost estimate for the new prison, they expect the project will invest hundreds of millions of dollars in Charleston and create thousands of jobs.

Once completed, the prison is expected to employ nearly 800 people with an average salary of $46,000.

Board of Corrections officials say Arkansas is currently short of more than 3,000 prison beds, forcing the state to spend about $30 million each year to house inmates in county jails.

The new facility is expected to ease this burden by providing new prison beds.

Before construction can begin, the prison authority must vote on the prison's approval.

“I promised the people of Arkansas that we would address our state’s prison bed shortage, and today I am announcing the first major investment in our state’s prison capacity since my father was governor,” said Governor Sanders. “This new facility will help end our failed system of arrest and early release and protect our communities by keeping violent offenders off our streets. It will provide hundreds of permanent, recession-proof jobs and millions of dollars in investment for Charleston, Franklin County and the River Valley.”

“The Department of Corrections’ mission is to provide safety and hope for Arkansans, but without adequate bed capacity, we will not accomplish that effectively,” said Lindsay Wallace, Arkansas Department of Corrections. “Working with Governor Sanders, our department has opened more than 1,100 prison beds to address our state’s long-standing bed shortage, and we plan to open hundreds more soon. With this new facility, we will add even more beds and fulfill our promises to the people of Arkansas.”

“Today’s announcement demonstrates the continued support of the Arkansas Legislature and Governor Sanders for public safety,” said Arkansas Senate President Bart Hester. “With safe roads, great schools and Arkansas’ natural resources, Arkansas will continue to attract good-paying jobs fleeing states that are not committed to the same priorities.”

For more information about the Arkansas Department of Corrections, click HERE.