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Warden Young Discusses Prison Role

Credit Kealey Bultena / SDPB
/
SDPB
Warden Darin Young stands inside the Jameson Annex of the SD State Penitentiary

South Dakota’s prison has been under new watch for about six months, and the latest warden is no stranger to the state penitentiary. Darin Young spent what he calls half his life in the prison, 21 years, before leaving in 2011 for a place in the county jail. He took over as warden at the penitentiary in June.

In this Dakota Digest, SDPB’s Kealey Bultena talks with the Warden Young about his first months as leader of the facility that houses some of the state’s most dangerous criminals.

To hear the full conversation with Warden Young, listen to this extended interview; Young talks about staff safety improvements, his place in the prison and his goals for inmates inside the penitentiary.

WardenYoung_ExtendedMP3.mp3
Play this extended interview with Warden Darin Young.

 

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Kealey Bultena grew up in South Dakota, where her grandparents took advantage of the state’s agriculture at nap time, tricking her into car rides to “go see cows.” Rarely did she stay awake long enough to see the livestock, but now she writes stories about the animals – and the legislature and education and much more. Kealey worked in television for four years while attending the University of South Dakota. She started interning with South Dakota Public Broadcasting in September 2010 and accepted a position with television in 2011. Now Kealey is the radio news producer stationed in Sioux Falls. As a multi-media journalist, Kealey prides herself on the diversity of the stories she tells and the impact her work has on people across the state. Kealey is always searching for new ideas. Let her know of a great story! Find her on Facebook and twitter (@KealeySDPB).