VIEWPOINT | South Dakota’s prison crisis needs more than a new building

Guest column by former South Dakota state Sen. Brent 'B.R.' Hoffman

Brent Hoffman

It’s a well-tested mantra in politics. Every issue is shaped by politicians and the media while citizens search for hidden truths in fine print or their own conscience. That brings me to the subject of our broken prison system.

Most readers have likely heard about plans to build a new men’s state penitentiary. The initial project budget was $825 million. A task force is reviewing prison options and the governor has called for a special session of the legislature. Recently, a consultant’s report estimated new construction could cost $1.9 billion to $2.1 billion, placing at least some of the need for new construction on the consequences of passing SB146, the “Truth in Sentencing” law. That law targeted citizens’ concerns about violent crimes and only addressed higher level crimes such as manslaughter, kidnapping and rape.

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