South Dakota Department of Corrections inmates are helping out with cleanup efforts in Hudson after a powerful storm left widespread damage in the community.
Secretary of Corrections Kellie Wasko authorized both offenders and DOC staff to help out.
“We’re assisting this community in dealing with the aftermath of the recent storm,” said Wasko. “The offenders and staff have been the recipients of tremendous gratitude from the residents here, which is very rewarding.”
Minimum-security inmates first arrived in Hudson Wednesday, assisting in clearing storm debris and removing downed trees.
The cleanup effort is in collaboration with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln County Emergency Management and the community of Hudson.
Requests for DOC offender assistance come from local emergency management officials. DOC also offered disaster assistance last year for flooding in the southeast, spring flooding in the northeast in 2023, and the derecho in 2022.