Task force members respond after 2 days of prison talk
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Two lawmakers on the prison task force said Thursday some of their key takeaways from two days of meetings in Sioux Falls was a men's prison needs space for inmate education and rehabilitation.
'They don't have the space or the staff' to fully do what they want at men's prison in Sioux Falls, said task force member and lawmaker Republican Sen. Mark Lapka.
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'It's very clear there are barriers,' task force member and lawmaker Democrat Rep. Erin Healy said.
Lapka is a member of the state legislature's Joint Committee on Appropriations where he's heard presentation from Department of Corrections Secretary Kellie Wasko. Lapak said on Thursday that information presented by Wasko was more detailed about education, rehabilitation and related topics.
'I toured the prison last September before the legislative session,' Lapka said. 'We were shown a whole lot more on our tour (Wednesday).'
The tour and Wasko's information reinforced the need for space in a men's prison, Lapka said.
Testimony from prior inmates also helped Healy.
The task force heard from former inmates who said they had programming help and resources while in prison and others who said they didn't, Healy said. Such testimony highlights the importance of resources in the prison, she said.
As it is now, 'The state pen is not the best place best place for offenders and the people that work there,' Healy said.
The task force will be exploring a new plan and a possible new location for a men's prison. Gov. Larry Rhoden created the task force called Project Prison Reset after the legislature rejected a proposed $825 million men's prison in Lincoln County.
'I think there is definitely consensus that something needs to be done,' Healy said. 'We all don't know what that is, or some have differing opinions as to what we should do.'
Thursday's meeting included public comment including those who are not in favor of the possible Lincoln County site.
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Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen, who was a lawmaker for several years before this position, is also the chair of the task force.
'A lot of good work went into that,' Venhuizen said of the rejected original plan. 'I think the plan that was pushed forward was a well-thought plan.' Yet, he didn't want to 're-plow old ground' with the original design.
Healy also said the original plan was a good one but the task force needs to consider other possible options.
The joint appropriations committee passed the final piece of a prison funding bill 18-0 but without a recommendation.
Lapka said Rhoden did a 'good thing' in forming the task force.
Now, the task force will work with a new consultant on a new design.
Venhuizen said the goal is to have a system that will serve the state for the next several decades.
'This isn't going to be a cheap deal,' Venhuizen said. 'We need to be realistic about the costs are going to be.'
Venhuizen said the good news is that the state has set aside just over $600 million for a men's prison project.
Healy said one of the difficult decisions could be in choosing a site for a prison or prison project.
No matter where a possible prison could be located, there is likely to be those who disagree, she said.
The task force will meet April 29 in Springfield.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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