A task force to find a path forward on building a new men’s prison agrees that the state of South Dakota needs to replace the 144-year-old building in Sioux Falls.
The group must now answer how many beds are needed and where a prison should go.
Prior to the meeting, the state received information for about 10 separate sites near Sioux Falls, Aberdeen, Huron and Grant County. The initial proposed site in Lincoln County also remains a possibility.
The task force must weigh the financial aspects of how much larger a new prison should be, as well as the political aspect of location.
Attorney General Marty Jackley proposed the vote on establishing whether the task force agrees the men’s prison — also called ‘The Hill’ — should get decommissioned.
Jackley said he feels strongly the state needs a new prison for state employee and guard safety.
“So we can have a conversation about how many beds and where. I feel strongly we need a new prison because I was the prosecutor that dealt with Robert and Berget," Jackley said. "I know we can put this off, but I feel by putting it off we aren’t going to get to the real question. We’re halfway done.”
The task force has had two of its four scheduled meetings. Some worry the scope of the task force’s work might be too large for just two more meetings.
Rep. Karla Lems, R-Canton, said she appreciates the communities coming forward to offer potential sites, as well as the option of modifying current corrections sites.
“How do we put all of the pieces of this puzzle together in two months? We have two months left. We have two more meetings. I guess I’m just thinking out loud and putting that out there because I’ve heard from you and you have those concerns as well,” Lems said.
The first two task force meetings were centered around Department of Corrections operations. Chair of the committee, Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen, said the group will look at answering number of beds and location for future meetings on June 3 and July 8. The group hopes it will have a consultant report by its next meeting.
