SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — While Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken and Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Milstead have not heard from Gov. Larry Rhoden about local officials being members of the Correctional Rehabilitation Task Force, they’d like a local member.
TenHaken said since the new men’s prison will be located in Sioux Falls, it would make sense to have local representation on the task force. The planned new prison and the task force were part of the semi-annual crime report on Tuesday, featuring the Sioux Falls Police and officials from Minnehaha County.
The city and the county both have a stake in seeing offenders’ rehabilitation and reductions in recidivism.
“Almost half of our jail population right now is repeat offenders,” Milstead said.
When an offender released on parole or probation commits a new crime in the county, the county is responsible for custody. As of Tuesday, “we’re picking up the bill on 80 parolees,” Milstead said.
County Chief Deputy Jeff Gromer said many first-time offenders in jail are younger males. But, “the overall male population tends to be older in the mid to late 20s,” he said. As they commit more crimes or become repeat offenders, they will be older.
Minnehaha County States Attorney Daniel Haggar said his office and the public defender’s office recently received county approval to add more staff to their budgets. His office plans to add two positions. The expansion is part because of repeat offenders who were paroled or on probation from prison, Haggar said.
Milstead said the new prison will have the needed space for more rehabilitation programs, including education, skills training and others to better prepare offenders when they leave prison. He commended Rhoden’s executive order to create the corrections rehabilitation task force. The work will be done in connection with the new prison.
