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VIEWPOINT | DOC leader's policies have made South Dakota prison dangerous
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VIEWPOINT | DOC leader's policies have made South Dakota prison dangerous

Guest column by Tim Reisch, state legislator & former DOC secretary

Jun 25, 2025
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The Dakota Scout
The Dakota Scout
VIEWPOINT | DOC leader's policies have made South Dakota prison dangerous
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Tim Reisch

It’s been just over three years since Kellie Wasko took over as Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Corrections after working in the Colorado prison system. Since her arrival, policy and operational changes have resulted in a degradation of staff and inmate safety systemwide.

Recently she named a county jail administrator from a small county in New Mexico as the new warden of the state penitentiary. Joseph Roemmich is the fourth person in as many years to occupy the position that has seemingly become a revolving door since Wasko’s arrival.

COUNTERPOINT: We've made South Dakota corrections stronger and safer

COUNTERPOINT: We've made South Dakota corrections stronger and safer

Jun 25
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