PIERRE, S.D.(KELO)- Attorney General Marty Jackley says there are less expensive prison options to consider…and the time to do that is now.

Earlier this year, legislators were considering an 825-million dollar plan to build a 15-hundred bed men’s prison.

Through private research, the Attorney General says the state could get the same result for 525-million.

The Attorney General is part of the Task Force studying the issue, and says the group has a responsibility to protect public safety as well as taxpayers.

Jackley believes the state may already have the locations it needs.

The task force will meet again next week, with final recommendations for the full legislature to consider in a July special legislative session.