Opposition to a proposal to build a state men’s prison in Mitchell is growing as a second major city leader who previously backed the idea is now coming out against the project.
First, Davison County Sheriff Steve Harr signed onto a letter asking the Project Prison Reset Task Force to consider Mitchell as a destination for a new state penitentiary. This week he announced he’s opposed, citing public outcry against the project.
Now, Mitchell Mayor Jordan Hanson, who threw his support behind the $600 million project, is withdrawing his support.
In a public letter, Mitchell Mayor Jordan Hanson wrote “Effective immediately, I do not and will not support this proposed prison project in the Mitchell community.”
He said that’s because the people he represents have spoken: They don’t want a prison in Mitchell.
“Most people either say they are completely against it, or they don’t care. Some people said they’re for it. But the number has just been way out. Like the number of people that oppose it far outweigh the people that are in favor of it,” Hanson said.
The project is expected to bring 400 full-time jobs with it. And although Hanson has been outspoken in wanting to grow Mitchell, he said this isn’t the way to do that.
“As Abraham Lincoln said, ‘A divided house cannot stand.’ And our town’s been very divided on this, and I would just rather see us unified,” Hanson said. “You know some of the big stuff, is I would rather live in a united town than a divided growing town. I would just hate to see that.”
As for what people are concerned about, Hanson’s heard many different reasons against the project.
“I don’t know how much of them are all even justifiable. But that’s not my judgement to make if someone’s opinions are valid or not. It’s obvious I have to take into consideration what everyone said and do the will of the people, and that’s exactly what I did,” Hanson said. “You know there’s stuff from I’m scared for my kids, you know, it’s going to bring crime to town, drug trafficking, workforce, traffic, school burden, everything.”
The task force can still choose to put the prison at the 160-acre site in Mitchell. Hanson said his letter is a “signal” to the task force of where the Mitchell community stands.
