State leaders are awarding more than $1.5 million to develop job training at the South Dakota State Penitentiary.
The money is being awarded by Gov. Larry Rhoden and the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development, according to a statement from the governor's office.
The program will be administered by Southeast Technical College with with oversight from the South Dakota Board of Technical Education. Officials say it will provide inmates the opportunity to earn a diesel heavy equipment certificate.
“Being Open for Opportunity means investing in people and believing in second chances,” said Rhoden, adding that the program "will support meaningful educational programming that helps individuals build better lives and contributes to a stronger workforce across our state.”
Rhoden said the money is coming from Future Funds dollars. That’s a pot of state money controlled by the governor’s office usually used for economic development projects.
The state board of technical education started moving forward with a similar initiative last year but the program stagnated over concerns on funding and questions over the development of a new state prison. A legislative task force is currently considering possibilities for a new men's prison site.
Officials said Southeast Tech's past work with the Department of Corrections has laid the groundwork for prison-based education.
“Education is one of the best ways to support rehabilitation and reduce recidivism,” said Secretary of Corrections Kellie Wasko. “We’re grateful to Gov. Rhoden and his team for supporting reentry efforts. These programs give people purpose, build skills, and strengthen families and communities across South Dakota.”
GOED Commissioner Bill Even said investing in programs like this makes the state better for everyone.
“Supporting education inside the correctional system creates new pathways to employment and helps meet the workforce needs of our growing industries,” Even said.