Thoughts on the prison-building process

Gov. Larry Rhoden issued an executive proclamation calling for a special session of the South Dakota legislature Sept. 23 starting at 9 a.m. Legislators of both the House (70 members) and the Senate (35 members) will consider authorizing funds for a new men’s prison; not that its necessary as the present men’s prison was built in 1881! That’s even before South Dakota became a state Nov. 2, 1889. My point is we all know it’s way, way past time to build a new men’s prison. It’s just the best, most efficient way to “git ‘er done.”
Here are some big concerns. The legislature, when I was on my two-year sabbatical, authorized the Dept. of Corrections (DOC) to purchase land for the new prison and get the architectural drawing (blueprints) of the new facility completed. So, DOC, under direction of its secretary Kelli Wasco, purchased 320 acres in Lincoln County (license plates No. 44) right next to Minnehaha County (license plates No. 1). The land they purchased was around 25 miles from the current prison facility.
The amount of land needed was approximately 160 acres. DOC purchased 320 acres. When I asked why twice the amount of land, I was answered that it was in case they wanted to expand in the next 50 years. I’m not making this up!
Here’s the next item that really upsets me. Not only did DOC buy twice as much land as needed, it paid $25,000 per acre for the land for a total of $8 million! Oh! To even make matters worse, this land is not going to be used for the new prison. My understanding is that School and Public Lands has already scooped up the 320 acres and put it under its jurisdiction/control. So, DOC was authorized $50 million for land and what other item? 
Oh yeah, the blueprints. That leaves $42 million left, right? This past session, I asked the appropriations committee about what was left of the $42 million. Their answer was none! I followed with the question about blueprints costing $42 million and their reply was that does seem high. Now, I’m not dumping on our Appropriations Committee, because it does a heck of a job. I am questioning the DOC expenditure of $42 million for blueprints that, according to my experts, would not cost more than $10 million. I guess it’s all in vain because we as a state blew $50 million! That is the reason Gov. Rhoden hit the reset button and started over on the new men’s prison. Kudos to him for stopping this train wreck.
The DOC’s plan was to keep the prison complex at its preset location and just move “The Hill,” which is around 800 inmates, to the Lincoln County site. The annual cost now is around $20 million, and with moving to two sites, the Lincoln County location would cost $50 million per year. We can’t afford that and again, we all need to applaud Gov. Rhoden for stopping the insanity.
Since the reset button was set, Project Prison Reset Task Force was set up and it has been diligently meeting and getting testimony. I attended its last meeting in Sioux Falls July 8. Not all members of this task force are legislators. There are the attorney general, Marty Jackley, a judge, and several other key people to weigh in on this monumental task.
In closing, I also would like to thank the chair of the committee, Lt. Gov. Tony VenHuizen and members of this prison reset task force. Their efforts are very much appreciated.
You are all invited to attend the special session in Pierre at the capitol. You can watch from the gallery above the lower body, the Senate, or the upper body, the House of Representatives.