VIEWPOINT | Prison location matters less than rehabilitation programs

Guest column by Sioux Falls City Councilor Rich Merkouris

Rich Merkouris

The number one concern for those of us elected to office is public safety. Every week I hear concerns expressed as people read headlines about gunshots or drugs.

The majority of those committing criminal acts are very familiar to law enforcement. For example, research the details of the incident on April 1, where one of our police officers was shot. There are two critical factors that impact our public safety: how prisoners are being prepared for release, and how they are managed at release.

This is where the focus must be, yet the current dilemma over where to build the new prison is diverting too much needed attention. Every day that goes by without a shovel in the dirt puts our prison staff, inmates and every community member at risk with the revolving door in our current system.

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