The South Dakota Legislature has set aside $569 million for the creation of a new men’s prison in rural Lincoln County. Since construction costs rarely go down, it’s safe to say that South Dakota will likely pay even more for what will be the most expensive capital project in state history.
Given the recent spate of unfortunate stories about strife in the prisons, it looks like that system, far from being run by professionals, is under the care of the Keystone Kops.
This year the prison system has been the subject of a series of lockdowns, though no one outside the prison walls, or, it seems, within the prison walls, is sure how many. It has seen criticism about a lack of transparency from citizens who serve on the Corrections Commission. Assertions about a variety of problems in the prison system have led to the formation of a citizen group to investigate those claims and work for change.
The prisons saw bouts of violence and concerns about contraband, prompting the lockdowns. According to the Department of Corrections, a lockdown at the state penitentiary and its maximum security Jameson Annex turned up “handmade weapons, other items that can be fashioned into or used as weapons and unauthorized electronic equipment.”
A 17-day lockdown ended on Oct. 2. Asked by South Dakota Searchlight how many lockdowns have been implemented this year, a DOC spokesman said that the department doesn’t track the number or duration of lockdowns. That’s quite a convenient policy for a department that’s been under scrutiny all year.
While the homemade weapons and other contraband were offered as a justification for the latest lockdown, there has been no indication that anyone in a position of responsibility within the prison system would be held to account for allowing the infractions to happen on their watch.
Members of the Corrections Commission, who by law are tasked with advising the DOC on matters of justice and public safety, have seen their role diminished to just overseeing the spending authority of prison industries. Recent developments at the prisons show that perhaps the commission’s advice is needed now more than ever.
The tumultuous year at the prisons prompted the formation of South Dakotans Impacted by Incarceration. The group’s first 90-minute public meeting saw members voice concerns about the denial of prescription medications, inedible food, higher prices at the commissary and the lack of support in three important areas: mental health resources, support for reentry into society and access to post-secondary education.
Of course, there are two sides to every story. However, DOC officials have resolutely refused to share their side. Multiple attempts by South Dakota Searchlight to get comments about the prison situations have been met with silence.
DOC Secretary Kellie Wasko told members of the Legislature’s Government Operations and Audit Committee that she didn’t want to air prison problems at Corrections Commission meetings that are open to the public. Wasko said she’d rather discuss the issues with the legislative committee behind closed doors.
Some lawmakers have already said they would offer legislation in the next session to bolster the role of the Corrections Commission and create a citizens’ commission to address the concerns of inmates, family members and members of the communities where incarcerated individuals are released.
While those sound like worthwhile endeavors, lawmakers should consider another issue. Given the lockdowns, violence, upheaval and lack of transparency in the prison system this year, lawmakers need to decide if this DOC leadership team is really the right group to be handed more than half a billion dollars in taxpayer funding to build a new prison.
