Upcoming legislative session will decide future of new prison site [Video]

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Governor Noem’s budget address this week included setting aside $182 million to go towards the new men’s prison fund that already has $567 million.

The project is expected to get more attention in the upcoming legislative session.

With the new request, the prison project will be fully funded, according to the state. Lawmakers were informed that the final price tag will be $825 million to construct the new men’s prison in rural Lincoln County, but there’s a lot that needs to happen first.

The cost for the new 1,500-bed maximum-security prison may possibly exceed the initial price tag, leading to an investment of nearly $1 billion.

Neighbors Opposing Prison Expansion (NOPE) Vice President Madeline Voegeli said this project is more than what South Dakota needs it’s too expensive.

“If we break that down for how much the project costs, we’re looking at a half a million dollars per cell,” Voegeli said.

Some have pointed out locations …