RAPID CITY, S.D. – Gov. Larry Rhoden signed a new prison construction bill into law Tuesday evening, marking the largest single public safety investment in South Dakota history. The bill, Senate Bill 2, was approved by a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the state legislature during a special session.
The legislation provides for a new 1,500-bed men’s prison in Sioux Falls to replace the state’s aging penitentiary, often called “the Hill,” which has been in use for 144 years. The project carries a price tag of up to $650 million and is funded through the state’s incarceration construction fund and budget reserves.
The new facility is intended to address overcrowding and deteriorating conditions in the current prison system. Supporters, including members of the governor’s “Project Prison Reset” task force, have said the new prison will allow for expanded rehabilitation and addiction treatment programs for inmates.
“Congratulations to lawmakers who approved the building of a new prison Tuesday.” said Attorney General Marty Jackley. “This has never been about increasing incarceration. It is about keeping people safe, safeguarding the taxpayers’ money and providing inmates hope for the future with rehabilitation efforts and addiction treatment. It was an honor to be part of the prison task force that addressed this issue and to have testified before our Legislature. Thank you to legislators and Governor Rhoden for taking a step forward for South Dakota’s correctional future.”
Immediately following the bill’s signing, Gov. Rhoden also signed an executive order establishing a new Correctional Rehabilitation Task Force. This group will be responsible for determining how to best expand rehabilitation services as the state plans for the new prison.