Robert Poppen’s civilian mentor requested this letter to the editor be published in The Dakota Scout VIEWPOINTS section. The Scout is proud to provide South Dakotans an open forum for community dialogue. Submit letters and guest columns to editor@thedakotascout.com.
Dear Gov. Rhoden,
Hello, my name is Robert Poppen, and I am a lifer here at the Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield. The reason I am writing to you is to talk about the Rehabilitation Task Force you are setting up.
As someone who has been incarcerated for 29 years, I see the need for rehabilitation, as so many of our young men and women get out with nothing, and they come back to the only thing they know.
