RJ’s parents mourn loss after Jameson Annex suicide

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The late Richard Woodraska created beadwork and would even send his art to his parents when he was behind bars.

“He did a whole lot of beading,” Richard’s mother Marlene Woodraska said.

And Richard’s father Michael knows from experience what this can mean.

“It gives you peace of mind … when I was in prison, I did beadwork,” Michael said. “I found solitary happiness in it, in remembering my family.”

Richard, or RJ as many people called him, spent time at McCrossan Boys Ranch. His family says the horses at the school for troubled youth brought Richard peace.

“RJ loved horses,” Michael said. “He loved McCrossan’s.”

And their son had aspirations of one day providing that kind of support for young people.

“He wanted to be something,” Michael said. “He wanted to be a counselor for kids.”

The loss of anyone to suicide will leave that person’s loved ones grappling with the questions of “why” and “how.” Sometimes the answers come with some clarity, but not always. Richard Woodraska’s family does not know how the 26-year-old was able to hang himself in October at the Jameson Annex next to the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls. A funeral home pamphlet memorializing their son echoes his appreciation for McCrossan and also shares the pride Richard felt about earning a GED in 2018 at Jameson.

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“Rest In Peace, RJ,” the pamphlet reads. “May you find the peace in death that seemed to elude you in life.”

Trouble with the law and mental illness challenged him. He was serving time for grand theft and burglary in October in Sioux Falls when, according to the South Dakota Department of Corrections, he was discovered unresponsive at Jameson.

“I just got that call, and I just, I couldn’t take it,” Marlene said. “I handed the phone to my husband.”

Richard’s family says the DOC told them Richard had hung himself with a bed sheet. But how that could have happened in a prison is not at all clear. Richard’s family says the DOC has not explained how a person who had struggled with mental illness was able to hang himself.

“There’s so many things, why, why, why,” Marlene said. “But I’m not getting no answers, ’cause [if] I have to call up there now, they won’t tell me a thing.”

His mother says Richard had already survived a suicide attempt by hanging at the Jameson Annex.

“I don’t trust them,” she said. “I mean, when he tried to commit suicide the first time, they didn’t call me. They didn’t do nothing. Another inmate told me, called.”

Their son struggled with mental illness, but his family says he did not get the mental health care he needed while in prison. They bring up staffing at the Jameson Annex as well.

“They don’t have the people to do their job,” Marlene said.

Suicide is already heart-wrenching when family and friends have as many answers to the questions haunting them as they possibly can, and sometimes only memories or mementos can provide solace. Richard’s parents hold on to the RJ they loved and still love.

“He’s a loving person,” Marlene said. “He would do anything for you. He would take the shirt off of his back and give it to you.”

KELOLAND News reached out to the South Dakota Department of Corrections for this report and requested an interview. In response, the DOC sent a statement: “The DOC sends the Woodraska family our condolences.  We are unable to comment on offender deaths in custody.”