SD penitentiary on lockdown as HB 1025 moves to JCA

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The South Dakota State Penitentiary and nearby Jameson Annex are on lockdown.

The state Department of Corrections said in a news release that the lockdown at Sioux Falls prison facilities began at 7:30 Tuesday morning. While the DOC hasn’t released the reason behind the lockdown, the department says it “is not in response to a disturbance or assault.”

The DOC declined an interview request from KELOLAND News Tuesday.

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The DOC’s last publicly-announced lockdown at Sioux Falls prison facilities began on Sept.15 and continued until Oct. 2. A Sept. 19 release from the DOC said the lockdown was done as “a proactive security measure to implement a full campus search and seizure for dangerous contraband.” That initial release said “handmade weapons” and electronics were discovered.

Later in October, the DOC told a government operations and audit committee of the state legislature about contraband found during the Sioux Falls lockdown. Officers allegedly discovered sharp items including tweezers, a homemade tattoo gun and tools.

“If you have three screwdrivers that are etched, and they’re bundled together, and they’re concealed somewhere, they’re contraband,” Secretary of Corrections Kellie Wasko said Oct. 21. “If they are not in their designated space in the institution where they’re inventory, then they are contraband.”

The House Committee on Appropriations referred House Bill 1025, which would appropriate money to build a new men’s prison in Lincoln County, to the Joint Committee on Appropriations without recommendation on Tuesday in Pierre. The vote saw eight lawmakers vote in favor, while one was excused.

HB 1025 is set to appear before the Joint Committee on Appropriations on Thursday.