Corrections Secretary faces Lincoln County prison opponents for first time
Tensions rise as Wasko doubles down on location while addressing county commissioners in Canton
CANTON — More than a year of silence from the Department of Corrections (DOC) about plans to build an $825 million prison in Lincoln County came to an end Tuesday.
Secretary Kellie Wasko appeared before the county’s commission to address the prison’s construction plans and assure more open lines of communication moving forward, as residents in the area continue to battle against its construction.
A career veteran of the corrections community, who has served as South Dakota DOC head since 2022, said that barring judicial intervention, the 1,500-bed facility would be constructed as planned in the site selected.
“This is an emotional day, and I understand the reception of the neighbors, and I accept that,” Wasko told commissioners. “But we will go forward, pending the outcome of the Supreme Court decision.”
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