8 hours ago
Davison County Sheriff opposing possible prison near Mitchell
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – The sheriff for Davison County is officially opposing the idea of building a new men's prison near Mitchell.
Last week, Gov. Larry Rhoden's Project Prison Rest task force included Mitchell among Worthing and other existing DOC sites as a possible site for a new men's prison facility to replace the current South Dakota State Penitentiary located in Sioux Falls.
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In a post on social media, Davison County Sheriff Steve Harr said he 'will not be supporting bringing the state prison to Davison County.'
'I contacted Minnehaha County Sheriff Milstead, who sits on the task force, informing him of this. I have asked him to forward it on to the entire task force,' Harr wrote.
Harr said prior to last week's task force meeting, he had signed a letter of support for the prison near Mitchell.
'This was done with hopes Davison County would make the final cut and some conversations would start,' Harr wrote. 'It was not done as a statement of 'we need a prison in Mitchell.' Well, as you know, this was successful, as the conversation all over town is on this topic.'
Harr said he believes it has become clear there's a large number of residents opposed to a new men's prison being built near Mitchell. 'My job as Sheriff is to look out for the citizens of Davison County and I feel that is what is being done by coming to this decision,' Harr said. 'I would like to thank everyone that has reached out or made your concerns known in other ways.'
Project Prison Reset plans to meet again in July to discuss further options for replacing the State Penitentiary.
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