Ouachita River Unit
The Ouachita River Unit is a prison in Malvern, Arkansas, operated by the Arkansas Department of Correction. The prison opened in 2003. History. In 2012, a special needs unit was opened which included a 72-bed hospital, and a 40-bed special services area which included a barracks for elderly, chronically ill and acute-illness inmates. Over 4000 prisoners-per-year in Arkansas are studying to receive their GED. Each May, prisoners who have earned their GED are brought to the Ouachita River Unit for a graduation ceremony.