SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - South Dakota lawmakers have made a significant decision to replace one of the nation’s oldest prisons, a facility that has been in operation since before the state's establishment. In a narrow vote during a special session, legislators approved a bill to allocate $650 million for the construction of a new 1,500-bed men's prison, which will replace the aging penitentiary that has been in use for 140 years.
The decision marks the most expensive taxpayer-funded project since South Dakota's founding in 1889. Governor Larry Rhoden, a Republican, emphasized the importance of this legislation by stating, “Few things that we've done are as significant as what we're doing here today,” before signing the bill.
This move comes at a time when South Dakota is tightening its criminal justice policies by imposing harsher punishments and investing in new facilities. This approach contrasts sharply with the policies in many Democratic-led states that are opting for more lenient strategies, including the closure of prisons.
The new prison is to be situated in Sioux Falls, the same city as the old facility. This location is strategic due to the existing municipal services and the availability of trained corrections staff in the area, which will help facilitate a smoother transition to the new institution.
Lawmakers have been discussing the potential for a new prison for several years now, driven by concerns over overcrowding and serious issues within the existing facility, such as inmate deaths, violent altercations, and drug smuggling. The redesign of the new prison aims to address these challenges by creating a modern facility that can accommodate a larger inmate population and provide better services.
Increased support for the prison's construction followed the resignation of the Corrections Department secretary, who was blamed by some legislators for the troubles at the penitentiary. The approval of this project is viewed as a significant victory for Governor Rhoden, who has prioritized the matter since taking office after former Governor Kristi Noem's departure to join the Trump administration. Rhoden is also expected to seek re-election in 2026.
The path toward this new facility was not straightforward; an earlier proposal for an $825 million prison had failed during the annual legislative session. In response, Governor Rhoden formed a task force comprising lawmakers and state officials to develop a suitable plan for the new prison's size and location. Lieutenant Governor Tony Venhuizen, who headed the task force, remarked, “You could say a lot of things about this process. I would not call it rushed.”
In a related context, a truth-in-sentencing law requiring some violent offenders to serve their full sentences has contributed to the overcrowding challenges in South Dakota. A consultant's report projected that the state might need to invest up to $2 billion in the next decade to manage the increasing inmate population effectively.
Supporters of the new prison argue that there is an essential need for expanded rehabilitative programs, mental health support, and work opportunities, all of which necessitate more space than currently available in the aging facility. Construction of the new prison is anticipated to take approximately four years.
As South Dakota moves forward with this ambitious project, it reflects a stark contrast to trends observed in other states and underscores the state's commitment to addressing its criminal justice system's challenges head-on.
