(Pierre, SD) — Governor Larry Rhoden is revving up his efforts to get construction going on South Dakota’s new men’s prison. Rhoden again addressed it as a top priority for House Bill 10-25 to get favorable votes during his weekly legislative session news conference yesterday. That’s the construction-authorization legislation for the proposed new site in Lincoln County, which is scheduled to be heard in the Joint Committee on Appropriations today. While referencing the state’s latest decision to rename the DOC to Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, he said South Dakota needs a facility that will actually match the title. Rhoden is adamant the current men’s prison is old and run-down, and it’s no longer suitable for quality rehab programs. He also noted delaying the new project for a summer study pushed by opponents would cost South Dakota taxpayers an additional 40-million dollars for inflation. The current guaranteed maximum price of 825 million expires at the end of March.
Gov. Rhoden Continues Public Push For New Men’s Prison
