More than 200 landowners turned out to hear options in their effort to oppose a new men’s prison in Lincoln County.
The state announced the location earlier this year despite neighbor concerns and a pending lawsuit.
Neighbors Opposed to Prison Expansion, or NOPE, filed a lawsuit saying the state should have to follow the same planning and zoning process others desiring to build in the county do.
Many of the concerns surround the infrastructure demand the prison would bring.
The state, in response, has filed a motion to dismiss the case.
Kyah Broders, president of NOPE, said the Department of Corrections' actions are part of a larger issue in the state.
“The state, being of sovereign power, can and will follow through with where and how they please to disregard the zoning processes. Which is obviously the heart of what this is. This is the heart of concern here and the state of South Dakota,” said Broders.
Broders likens what the state is doing with the prison to recent CO2 pipeline companies attempting to use eminent domain to place a pipeline through Lincoln and other counties across the state.
Rep. Steve Haugaard, R-Sioux Falls, said the state should put money toward rehabilitation, rather than a new prison.
“Treat them like human beings, get them through their GED, get them through addiction treatment, and get them back out the door when their supposed to go out. That’s not being soft on crime, that is being responsible with these people while they are under your supervision,” said Haugaard.
The court case between NOPE and the State of South Dakota is scheduled for January 22nd in Lincoln County.
