Gov. Rhoden cuts ‘ribbon’ on new women’s prison in Rapid City

Gov. Rhoden cuts ‘ribbon’ on new women’s prison in Rapid City

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - Governor Larry Rhoden attended a ribbon-cutting that marked the completion of construction for South Dakota’s newest prison.

The ‘ribbon’ cutting was actually Rhoden cutting a razor wire.

The 102,750-square-foot facility has three 96-bed housing units, along with a drug rehabilitation center, a Fellowship Ministries program, an education center, and a 12-bed Mother-Infant program building.

“Ninety-seven percent of female offenders enter prison with a substance use disorder assessment, and this new facility will strengthen our ability to provide treatment for those women,” said Secretary of Corrections Nick Lamb. “Through dedicated treatment space and a therapeutic community, women will receive the counseling, support, and life skills they need to break the cycle of addiction and successfully return to their families and communities.”

DOC plans to begin moving offenders from the Pierre Minimum Center and Women’s Prison in Pierre to the new facility in August.

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