SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The questions have had South Dakota taxpayers’ attention for some time: where might a new prison go and what might the facility or facilities cost? Answers might come into focus when Project Prison Reset’s task force has their final scheduled meeting Tuesday in Sioux Falls.
The task force has already unanimously voiced their approval to replace the current South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls. But their recommendations on location and size, the two other questions Gov. Larry Rhoden outlined in February, aren’t yet clear.
“Come the adjournment, I’m hoping that we come forward with a recommendation, and I hope that it’s unanimous, and I hope that we come out of there with the confidence to be able to get the votes in our chambers and get this across the line,” Republican Sen. Jim Mehlhaff of Pierre said Thursday.
Mehlhaff, who serves as Senate majority leader, is on the task force chaired by Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen. Among the possible sites for a new facility or facilities are two options in Sioux Falls, one in the Mitchell area and one in the Worthing area. Construction at existing state Department of Corrections facilities is also a possibility.
Dan Santella: Do you think the task force is going to zero in on one geographic location to recommend that the state build or possibly more than one or tough to say?
“I think that’s tough to say,” Venhuizen said in response Thursday. “We will be hearing a number of different scenarios from our design team.”
Eventually, a special session of the legislature is planned where all state lawmakers can learn about the task force’s recommendations. And whatever plan the group endorses will need the support of two-thirds of both the Senate and House.
Santella: Do you think that’s, in the end, possible at a special session?
“Well, I think that is going to be a test of leadership in both chambers,” Mehlhaff said in response. “I feel pretty confident that if we come forward with a good plan that I will be able to sell it.”
“The key legislative leadership is all on this task force, and so if we can come up with a plan that the members of this task force can support, I think they should be able to help sell that plan to the legislature and get that support,” Venhuizen said.
