The future of a new, 1,500-bed men’s prison near Sioux Falls is in serious doubt following actions taken by the South Dakota state legislature on Monday.
Some state lawmakers want another look at options to alleviate overcrowding in the prison system.
Shortly after House lawmakers came together Monday afternoon, the chamber narrowly rejected a procedural move to reconsider a funding transfer of $148 million dollars into the Incarceration Construction Fund. That’s a pot of money lawmakers want to use to pay for the facilities outright.
Former Gov. Kristi Noem and Gov. Larry Rhoden want to pay for the facility with cash to avoid bonding the project
The funding transfer failed 35 to 35, short of the majority required. It also failed on Friday.
Since 2022, lawmakers have placed $567 million into the fund, which is gathering interest.
The original bill would have authorized construction of the prison, which has a guaranteed maximum price of $825 million. But that would have required a two-thirds vote. The new majority within the Republican caucus has been skeptical of the project.
Delays could cost the state millions.
A panel of state Senate leaders are advancing a proposal to establish another task force to review development of new and existing correctional facilities.
“I think it’s worthy of a group of individuals—if we do not move forward with the prison and incarceration plan during this session—to have a contingency plan that’s laid out," said Chris Karr, R-Sioux Falls, Senate President Pro Tempore said. "Is this perfect? No, but at least somebody is throwing it out and saying ‘here’s a plan. Here’s the stakeholders.’ To figure out how we come up with something that this next legislature can approve—so we don’t waste another year and cost another $36 or $40 million.”
Rhoden calls the current men’s prison ‘gothic’ and says it could lead to the state getting sued due to the 144-year-old facility’s condition. Rhoden says his administration looks forward to continuing the conversation.
