SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – After South Dakota lawmakers voted down legislation to build a new penitentiary, members of Project Prison Reset are starting from scratch. On Thursday morning, they were told that despite all of the unknowns, including the location, the state has already invested tens of millions of dollars in the project.
South Dakota’s current penitentiary is more than 140 years old. Lawmakers have already approved $62 million to replace it. Task force members learned a majority of that money has already been spent.
State to seek possible land sites for prison project
“The number of dollars spent or obligated is $50.8 million,” Senior Policy Advisor Ryan Brunner said at a task force meeting. “That includes checks out the door, some contractors we still owe money to that we have some bills coming in and then our new consultant, and so that adds up to 50.8 million.”
According to the state, close to 80% of that money has gone toward design plans, purchasing land in rural Lincoln County and for a sewer system. The DOC said some of the money could be re-appropriated, including $3.7 million reserved for sitework at the old farm.
“There’s about $5 to 6 million available for contracts that are paused, that if we picked a different location, could potentially be reappropriated or spent on design or spent on expenses related to a different location,” Brunner said.
However, plans for additional electric substations are not being paused due to the amount of time it takes to complete. If the task force selects a new site, those could be relocated or sold.
“Substations are a very valuable commodity,” Brunner said. “We have not paused that contract. Those utility contracts total $5.2 million. We’re considering those dollars as if they’re spent because we intend to move forward.”
The task force would like people to come forward with ideas for other potential locations for a new prison.
