Governor Rhoden Announces Task Force to Guide Rehabilitation Programming for Proposed State Prison
- Steve Jurrens
- Sep 17
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - Governor Larry Rhoden has announced plans to establish the Correctional Rehabilitation Task Force, a new advisory group focused on expanding rehabilitation services as South Dakota prepares for a new state prison.
The task force will be created by Executive Order, pending the passage of draft legislation scheduled for a vote during the Special Session on Tuesday, September 23.
The proposed facility would significantly increase space for inmate programming, including treatment and vocational training. Governor Rhoden said the new prison represents “the largest investment in public safety in South Dakota’s history.”
“Our current penitentiary is unsafe and lacks sufficient resources to equip inmates for re-entry into society,” Rhoden said. “The new facility will dramatically increase programming space, so the next task is to expand our rehabilitative programming – that’s where this task force comes in.”
Lieutenant Governor Tony Venhuizen will chair the task force, which is expected to begin work this fall. Its responsibilities include evaluating the needs of the inmate population, exploring options for faith-based and Native American-focused programs, and reviewing national models for successful re-entry. The group will also make recommendations on how to best utilize the expanded space in the new facility.
“This year, legislators and other stakeholders worked hard on both the prison task force and the legislative summer study on recidivism,” Venhuizen said. “This task force will build upon that important work and help shape effective programming for our inmate population.”
The task force will include bipartisan representation from both legislative chambers, along with experts in behavioral health, addiction counseling, and correctional rehabilitation. A tribal representative will also serve on the panel.
Governor Rhoden released the full prison plan last week. The draft legislation outlines infrastructure improvements and expanded capacity for treatment and vocational services. The Correctional Rehabilitation Task Force will focus on defining the specific programs that will occupy that space.
For more information, the Governor’s office has published a Frequently Asked Questions page addressing cost, location, and construction timelines.
