A group appointed by Gov. Larry Rhoden is exploring options for a new prison facility in the state.
Following the first of four meetings on what to do about constructing a new men’s prison to address overcrowding, many lawmakers say programming for inmates must increase.
Corrections officials say a new facility would help alleviate overcrowding issues in the prison system, but a proposed 1,500-bed campus-style facility in Lincoln County met steep resistance.
On Wednesday, the task force toured the men’s prison in Sioux Falls. Rep. Karla Lems, R-Canton, has been a vocal opponent to the previously proposed prison and was on the tour. Lems said change needs to happen with the 144-year-old prison building. Lems said reducing recidivism is also necessary.
“This is probably a 100-year project, again, that's we’re looking at," Lems said. "We better get it right—not only get the location right, but we should also be looking to fix some of these things.”
A different legislative committee will meet this summer to study ways the state can reduce recidivism in the corrections system.
State officials say they’ve hired a new consultant to dust off a four-year-old report looking at the state’s corrections needs. The group Arrington Watkins will conduct the study at a cost of $663,000. Officials hope the new report will be ready by the task force’s third meeting, June 3 in Pierre.
The state is also seeking proposals from interested landowners who might want to sell property for the prison site. Lt Gov. Tony Venhuizen says the task force will consider prison project options in later meetings.
“We’re going to be doing a request for potential sights. If there are new sites that want to come forward, we will hear about that at our second meeting. Hopefully, we will have that consultant report by our third meeting," Venhuizen said. "That’s where we could really start to sink our teeth into what are some plans to move forward.”
State lawmakers have set aside $650 million to construct a new facility. Gov. Larry Rhoden wants the group to craft a prison proposal for a special session vote on July 22.
The group is scheduled to meet again on April 29 in Springfield, where they will tour the Mike Durfee Prison.
