Officials say another $80 million is in the state reserves due to a budget surplus following the end of the last fiscal year on July 1.
The governor has already earmarked that money to offset the costs of prison construction.
The state is experiencing severe overcrowding within the Department of Corrections system, to the point that prison construction was one of the most hotly debated issues of the most recent legislative session.
Those conversations continue, with the governor tagging the budget surplus as a prime funding source to offset construction costs. However, not everyone is on board with the plan.
Pine Ridge Democratic Sen. Red Dawn Foster sits on the appropriations committee. She acknowledged there is a real need for change in the DoC.
“The prisons definitely were the biggest winner in the ARPA fundings," Foster said. "I know our prisons are inhumane conditions right now. It’s extreme overcrowding, its not safe for inmates or employees, so it does need to be addressed.”
Recent incidents include a ‘“disturbance” at the State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls that resulted in charges being levied against 11 inmates – as well as a fight at the Springfield prison that led to six inmates getting injured.
At the same time though, Foster said this money could be used more comprehensively.
"It is unfortunate that is what the State of South Dakota has prioritized," Foster said. "I would have liked money to go towards treatment centers or other areas to address root causes versus punitive solutions to any community problem that we have.”
It is an ongoing discussion though, and fellow appropriator Rep. Tony Venhuizen supports the decision. The Sioux Falls Republican said it’s responsible spending.
“If we need to build a new prison, it’s clearly in our benefit to pay cash rather than borrowing by issuing bonds, and so we’ve already put away almost $600 million that will be available to pay cash for that construction," Venhuizen said. "Continuing to save for that purpose is, I think, a very fiscally prudent approach.”
Two new major DoC facilities are in development- a women’s prison on the outskirts of Rapid City, and a men’s facility south of Sioux Falls.