Sioux Falls leaders make case for more state assistance with prison

Inmates and parolees need training, services and help if they are going to succeed, mayor and others say

Sioux Falls leaders are resigned to the idea their city will continue to be home to the state’s high-security men’s prison, but they say replacing the South Dakota State Penitentiary should come with additional help from the state.

That was the prevailing sentiment Tuesday during a forum in Sioux Falls that featured a dozen of the city’s political and law enforcement leaders, as well as Attorney General Marty Jackley and Ryan Brunner, Gov. Larry Rhoden’s senior policy advisor. The event was organized by state Rep. Greg Jamison, a member of Rhoden’s Project Prison Reset Task Force.

That task force considered other communities for building a new prison, but members were deluged with comments and emails from people in those communities who didn’t want it. Jamison recalled a community meeting in Worthing where task force members addressed residents.

“The gym was full,” he said.