Prison project is at a crossroads

South Dakota is confronting a mounting crisis: its state penitentiary, built in 1881, is crumbling and outdated. Conditions are so poor that consultants from Elevatus Architecture of Indiana say it’s a surprise there hasn’t been a lawsuit. The need for a new facility is clear — but how to proceed is a matter of controversy.

Elevatus originally projected a new 1,500-bed prison at $825 million, fueling significant concern about cost. After reviewing their data, the task force lowered its proposal to a 1,500–1,700 bed facility for no more than $600 million — a potential savings of up to $300 million. The new recommendation prefers adding capacity at existing Department of Corrections sites, turning to new construction only if absolutely necessary.

Cost isn’t the only hurdle. Public opposition is reshaping the debate. Pushback from Sioux Falls and Lincoln County already forced the state to abandon a previously-proposed location. While Mitchell and Worthing initially appeared to be viable sites, community resistance grew. On June 10, The Mitchell Republic reported that Mitchell’s mayor withdrew his support following mounting backlash.

Meanwhile, the state has already invested approximately $50.8 million into the Lincoln County site, including $21 million for design, $7.9 million for land, $10.5 million for sewer infrastructure, and additional funds for utilities. Abandoning the site means writing off those costs.  Even if the project meets the new budget and finds a viable location, major political hurdles remain. Any proposal must pass the South Dakota Legislature with a two-thirds majority in both chambers—a steep challenge under growing public pushback.

Given all this, it’s fair to ask: Why aren’t we exploring alternative solutions more seriously?  In 2022, my seatmate Rep. Mary Fitzgerald from Lawrence County proposed a network of regional jails. The model offers better proximity for families and legal services and may be more palatable to local communities. She noted, “the harsh truth; taxpayers don’t like spending money on jails or prisons. But here’s the reality … we need them.” The current prison is outdated, unsafe, and beyond repair. Doing nothing is not an option.

The state must now weigh its next move carefully—balancing fiscal responsibility, prior investments, political realities, and public sentiment. As Mitchell’s recent reversal shows, community support is fragile. Without it, even the most well-intentioned plan could collapse.

Last week the task force sent a letter to the governor requesting that he postpone the special session originally scheduled for July 22 and asked for additional time to work on a viable solution.  The prison project stands at a pivotal moment. We need to rethink not just where we build, but how we deliver justice and infrastructure that is effective, affordable and publicly supported.  

On a sadder note, our prayers go out to the families of the legislators and their spouses who were targeted — two were killed and two injured. No legislator would expect violence or personal harm over a difference of philosophy or opinion.

The aggressive rhetoric we’ve been hearing lately can directly contribute to a tragedy like we saw in Minnesota last weekend. Let’s dial it down, and treat each other with dignity and respect. Remember that it’s okay to agree to disagree and it should never result in aggression or violence.