Time to Fix South Dakota’s Broken Prison System
By Fred Deutsch
Next week, lawmakers will vote on whether to build a new state prison in Sioux Falls. At $650 million, it’s the biggest building project in South Dakota history. That price tag is hard to swallow, and people deserve clear answers before we move forward.
Here’s what we know now.
The current state penitentiary is 140 years old. It’s crumbling, overcrowded, and dangerous. We’ve seen stabbings, staff assaults, contraband smuggling, and reports of mold, pests, and failing plumbing. It is still “usable,” but at growing risk to both officers and inmates. No amount of patchwork repairs can fix a building designed in the 1800s.
The Rhoden administration has secured two new protections for taxpayers. First, contractors put in writing that the project will not cost more than $650 million. Second, if they manage to finish under budget, half the savings will go back to the state. That means the “billion-dollar prison” line that’s been thrown around simply doesn’t hold up anymore.
Opponents still raise valid concerns. They argue the Department of Corrections is in chaos after the Secretary’s resignation. They want reforms first, and they’re right that management matters. Others worry about operating costs. They predict the new facility could add tens of millions in annual expenses. That is a fair concern, and one the Governor must address honestly.
But here’s the other side: every year we delay, inflation drives costs higher. Every year we pour money into patching the old prison, we spend millions without solving the underlying problems. Most importantly, every year we leave corrections officers working in unsafe conditions and deny inmates the classrooms, counseling, and job training that help prevent repeat crimes.
The debate is no longer about whether this project will spin out of control. The fiscal safeguards are in place. The real question is whether South Dakota will build a prison that not only keeps people secure, but also gives inmates a shot at rehabilitation so they don’t return to crime once released.
We can’t afford to keep kicking the can down the road. It’s time to fix a broken system with both new walls and new approaches—because public safety and second chances should go hand in hand.
—
Fred Deutsch is a retired chiropractor from Florence, he previously served in the South Dakota House for District 4 from 2014 to 2017 and from 2019 to 2025. a former School Board member, Fred will be a candidate for District 4 House in 2026.
But no one is dealing with the underlying causes of crime. Only the outcome: incarceration. Crime prevention is a slogan with nothing behind it.
Thank you Fred. This obviously needs to get done. The process of public policy development isn’t meant to be neat and easy, but this project has run the gauntlet and is better for the questions
Now we find out who votes yes in support of South Dakota taxpayers and the public ,
And who needs to take their circus act on the road with Barnum and Bailey and get out of serious policy decision making
Lee are you referring to your corrupt circus act? You continue to bash others yet every action you take is against the people’s desires. Remember who keeps you in the positions you are and instead of bashing others why don’t you have some class to act like a true professional
Posting this a second time. Are you censoring constituents?
Well said, my friend, well said.
There will be a huge ouster of fellows who don’t vote for this. A huge ouster…mark down grudznick’s words. Somebody will do a scorecard, and it will be scored high on the scorecard of scorecards by the Conservatives with Common Sense. Tomorrow at the breakfasting, the opening rant will be enlightening, and some special cup cakes in the flavor of BANANA NIMBY will be available from one of our members.
As a South Dakotan, we could use this 650 million dollars for much more resourceful projects. During session the continuous complaint was not having funding for projects that reward our citizens, police, fire, corrections officers, first responders, and hard working class. I do not agree with Fred or Lee. This is an outrageous waste of funds. Renovate the old building and add onto it as it was designed. We the constituents are tired of you the law makers not listening to our requests. Stop lining your pockets and instead do your job.
Are we supposed to forget all the expansion of incarceration for “crime” that you support? Last I checked you still want people in jail for marijuana use.
Check again. I served with Fred. He never voted to incarcerate people for marijuana use.
Not true. I served with the guy.
The jail has been funding transgender transition services with tax payers money. What else are you going to be in support of behind our backs Fred? Let’s not minimize allocations of our funds!
This is where we realize the state has too many Republicans in the legislature. The Democrats would keep this simple: either you care about public safety or the well-being of the state employees who work in the prison or you don’t.
If you don’t build a new prison, PEOPLE WILL DIE.
If you try to renovate the old prison, the demolition and construction processes will allow dangerous criminals to escape, and PEOPLE WILL DIE.
If nothing is done, the state employees will have a more difficult time managing the inmates, and PEOPLE WILL DIE.
And if you don’t care that PEOPLE WILL DIE, there’s always the mantra, WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN?
WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN who visit their fathers in prison? Don’t they deserve a nicer, safer environment in which to visit??
Between PEOPLE WILL DIE and WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN, a Democratic majority in the legislature would have had that new prison built years ago..
Clearly you haven’t paid any mind to what democratic lead states have turned into… defunding the police, higher rates of crime, higher rates of suicide. Maybe move to another state if that’s what you want.
Of course we have been paying attention: in states where criminals are not incarcerated, PEOPLE WILL DIE. They are dying right now.
Democrats always use the two mantras, PEOPLE WILL DIE and WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN when they want to spend money.