Plenty of prison feedback given

Greetings. Thank you for all the positive remarks, emails, texts, calls regarding my yes vote on the new men’s state prison! It really was the right thing to do to pass funds already in our prison construction fund to build a new state men’s prison.

Marcia and I were at a Lincoln Day Dinner in Oelrichs (Fall River County) and one of the gubernatorial candidates was totally against the state prison. Mind you that once a bill is passed, it’s up to all of us to get behind it and help it become a success. This candidate said all our constituents were against the prison and 51 House members and 24 Senators voted against the will of the people. Now, how in the heck does he know that? My experience, since the special session Sept. 23 has been overwhelming support!

I mentioned this before but it needs to be said again. All the sheriffs in the sheriffs’ association, as well as all of the police chiefs and states attorneys asked for this new facility. To top that off, our attorney general, Marty Jackley, worked on the plan and was on the summer study task force and supported the new prison, as did the task force itself which was chaired by our Lt. Gov. Tony VenHuizen. The task force final plan was unanimous, both republicans and democrats, lawmakers and many community leaders.

Also, the prior secretary of corrections under former governors Rounds, Daugaard and Noem, Rep. Tim Reisch, also a former Army Major Two-Star General and Adjutant General of the S.D. Air and Army Guard, supported this new penitentiary. Now, how in the world did we “yes vote” legislators vote against the will of the people? Sorry to go on such a rant, but I wanted to clear that up.

To recap a few important points: The prison was approved for $650 million, with no overrides in costs. When was the last time you saw a government contract have that clause? The money is in our prison construction fund, earmarked specifically for construction of a new prison. It is already paid for. Gov. Rhoden, who by the way was for the new prison, has agreed to establish a task force headed by our lieutenant governor.

Remember his name? Yep, Tony VenHuizen. The task force will come up with real plans to:

• Reduce recidivism (repeat offenders going back to the pen.)

• Job training and placement

• Alcohol and drug rehabilitation so that if an inmate was hooked on drugs upon arrival, he can get some help and hopefully doesn’t go back to using drugs and alcohol once he is released, even if it is 10 years from entry.

As long as we are on the subject of corrections, it is thought that we in the legislature should revisit Senate Bill 70-SD, Public Safety Improvement Act. Fall River County State’s attorney Lance Russell, who was a state senator when it was passed in 2013, thinks it has had too many unintended consequences. One example he explained is that if a juvenile commits a major felony, like stealing a car, they get only probation, no jail or penitentiary time. Almost unbelievable to me. It’s the same with drug use and distribution (selling drugs). I’m by no means an expert, but am going to ask our Legislative Research Council (LRC) to start drafting some legislation repealing SB70.

As always, any input, both positive and negative, is greatly appreciated. 

October is one of my favorite months. Because? Any guesses? Yep! Hunting season takes off, such as pheasant and duck season. I got a new dog/puppy named Coco (half Chesapeake bay and half black lab) to hopefully get trained by Mocha, my 11-year old chocolate lab, who like me, is starting to lose a step or two. It should be a blast (pun intended).