BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) - Officials in northwest Arkansas say revenue is down at the county jails because inmates are spending less time there awaiting beds in state prisons.

The Morning News reports (http://is.gd/hRhMCC) the Benton County jail received monthly payments as high as $225,000 for housing inmates who were waiting for prison beds. But in March this year, the reimbursement to the Benton County jail was $25,900. That's down from $220,000 in March 2011.

In Washington County, officials say inmates would typically wait three to five months before being transferred. Officials say that wait is now less than a month.

A spokeswoman with the Arkansas Department of Correction says more people are being sentenced to probation or having their cases heard in drug court - which means fewer prisoners are entering the system.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)