Project Prison Reset Task Force Report

The Project Prison Reset task force has released new findings following a third-party report by Arrington Watkins, confirming that the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls has reached the end of its operational life.

By Christal Blue May 19, 2025 11:55 am

Mitchell state prison proposal South Dakota $650 million prison Mitchell community forum prison project public input MiKayla Johnson Mitchell State Rep. Jeff Bathke economic impact of prisons Mitchell Mayor Jordan Hanson South Dakota corrections expansion prison reentry programs community safety concerns public opposition to prison prison development debate state prison near Mitchell South Dakota Department of Corrections — Metro Services

MITCHELL, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) The Project Prison Reset task force is sharing its latest findings. It comes after a third-party report by Arrington Watkins. Lieutenant Governor Tony Venhuizen says the report confirmed what the task force said, that the state penitentiary in Sioux Falls has reached the end of its useful life. It also found the prison system is overcrowded, and a new facility is needed. The full report can be found at Governor-dot-SD-dot-gov. For more crime stories from MitchellNow.com, click here.

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