Gov. Noem Makes Announcement Regarding South Dakota State Penitentiary
PIERRE, S.D. – At approximately 7:00 pm Central time tonight, Governor Noem was briefed on a summary of an internal review conducted by the South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources that was prepared as part of an investigation following an anonymous complaint. A copy of the anonymous complaint can be found here.
In light of that internal review, a few moments ago, Governor Noem placed Secretary of Corrections Mike Leidholt and State Penitentiary Warden Darin Young on administrative leave.
“My top priority as governor is keeping South Dakotans safe, and that includes the men and women who work at the State Penitentiary and those who are confined there,” said Governor Noem.
The Governor announced that she will appoint Tim Reisch to serve as interim Secretary of Corrections. Reisch retired in 2019 after eight years as Adjutant General of the South Dakota National Guard. From 2003 to 2011, Reisch served as Secretary of Corrections. Prior to that time, he also served as Deputy Secretary of Corrections and as Miner County sheriff. His appointment is effective immediately.
Governor Noem also announced that Doug Clark, the Deputy Secretary of Corrections, is stepping in as acting warden of the State Penitentiary until a longer-term interim can be named. The Governor has also assigned two members of her cabinet to work from the Penitentiary and assist Acting Warden Clark in addressing this internal review: Darin Seeley, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Human Resources (BHR); and Laurie Gill, the Secretary of Social Services and a former BHR Commissioner and Mayor of Pierre.
Governor Noem has instructed General Reisch, Acting Warden Clark, Secretary Gill, and Commissioner Seeley to take immediate action to address this internal review and to commission an independent third party to investigate the penitentiary and offer additional recommendations.
No further comment will be made at this time.
If it is within her power, based on the complaint, I think an immediate raise is in order.
It also makes sense to release nonviolent cannabis offenders to relieve some of the pressure and allow staff to focus.
I believe Reisch was MINER county sheriff, not Moody county.
That’s been corrected in the official release.
Was wondering who listens to anonymous complaints nowadays. A paper will not even print without a signature. Must be missing something.
Right?! What’s Troy call the anonymous? Cowards?
Mixed feelings here. Was not impressed with her pick for DOC Secretary from the beginning. Just not the strongest leader.
Having said that, much of the problem at DOC comes down to money which is controlled by the Governor and the Legislature. You want to fix some problems at the prisons, offer a wage to attract workers and keep them. If not, you will continue to lose people and not attract quality workers. I know – it’s not popular to spend money on Corrections…
The way this was rolled out to the community, this is essentially a public demand for some resignations.