The state Department of Corrections Secretary Kellie Wasko is resigning at the end of October.
She submitted her letter of resignation to Governor Larry Rhoden on Monday—the same day a letter signed by 20 members of the state legislature called for a change in corrections leadership ahead of a special session on the future of a new state prison. The letter referenced those lawmakers’ lack of trust in department leadership ahead of the proposed $650 Million investment.
Wasko did not reference calls for her departure in the resignation letter. Instead, she highlighted her accomplishments as head of the Department of Corrections and expressed gratitude to Governor Rhoden for retaining her cabinet position upon former-governor Kristi Noem’s departure.
Wasko was appointed by then-Governor Kristi Noem in 2022.
