AFTER A LONG DAY OF DEBATE IN A SPECIAL SESSION THAT LASTED INTO THE EVENING, SOUTH DAKOTA LAWMAKERS APPROVED A BILL TO FUND A NEW STATE PRISON ON TUESDAY.
THE HOUSE AND SENATE APPROVED THE 650-MILLION-DOLLAR PROJECT TO REPLACE THE STATE’S 144-YEAR-OLD PENITENTIARY.
GOVERNOR LARRY RHODEN ADDRESSED THE STATE LAWMAKERS ON THE NEED AND COST OF A NEW PRISON TO START THE MORNING, AND THEN THE STATE SENATE AND HOUSE SEPARATED TO HOLD COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND THEN DEBATE THE PROPOSAL, WHICH WAS DEVELOPED BY A STATE PRISON TASK FORCE.
ATTORNEY GENERAL MARTY JACKLEY WAS ON THE TASK FORCE, AND ISSUED A STATEMENT CONGRATULATING LAWMAKERS WHO APPROVED THE BUILDING OF THE NEW PRISON, SAYING:
“THIS HAS NEVER BEEN ABOUT INCREASING INCARCERATION. IT IS ABOUT KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE, SAFEGUARDING THE TAXPAYERS’ MONEY AND PROVIDING INMATES HOPE FOR THE FUTURE WITH REHABILITATION EFFORTS AND ADDICTION TREATMENT”.
THE BILL PROVIDES A NEW PRISON IN SIOUX FALLS.
CONSTRUCTION SHOULD START NEXT YEAR. THE NEW FACILITY IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT FOUR YEARS TO COMPLETE.
RHODEN SAID THE PRISON IS THE LARGEST SINGLE PUBLIC SAFETY INVESTMENT IN THE HISTORY OF THE STATE.
HE ALSO SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER, WHICH CREATES THE CORRECTIONAL REHABILITATION TASK FORCE.
