We could have details about the location of a new $600 million men’s prison Tuesday.
If something is recommended at the July 8 prison task force meeting, the Legislature will need a 2/3 vote to move the project forward.
During session, legislators made it clear they did not support a 1,500-bed project in Lincoln County. It cost $825 million then.
Gov. Larry Rhoden formed a group to “reset” the process and find a way forward.
Rhoden asked if the state needed a new prison at all. The task force’s overwhelming answer was yes.
Next, Rhoden asked them what exactly should be built and where it should go.
Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen is the chair of the group answering those questions.
“I think we have a fairly good idea of what needs to be built: about 1500 beds, of course it’s a little more complicated than that. And then where do we build it? You know, I’m optimistic we have one or two sites that I think will have pretty broad support,” Venhuizen said.
Venhuizen specifically pointed out new sites in Sioux Falls added over the last two weeks.
Venhuizen thinks the group “may be in a position where we can find a plan that can move forward.”
Gov. Larry Rhoden said he’s approached the situation hoping to find a solution to an overcrowding prison system.
“Obviously we would have just as soon had it done after session was over. That’s not the way it played out, so we played the hand that was dealt to us,” Rhoden said. “And I think that they are making good progress. I have almost daily conversations with Lt. Gov. Venhuizen, and I think they’re kind of on a good track right now. And so I’m encouraged by what I hear coming from the committee and so we’ll see how it all plays out.”
A special legislative session to vote on the group’s plan was scheduled for July 22. But Venhuizen wanted to delay it, and Rhoden granted the request.
The governor said he doesn’t want to “tie the state down to an arbitrary date” before a recommendation is given.
