PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) — The Joint Appropriations Committee hearing this Monday on the Department of Corrections wasn’t explicitly about the location of the proposed new men’s prison–but the $700 million project did get some attention from legislators and citizens.
Department of Corrections Secretary Kellie Wasko talked about how dangerous it is for the night staff at Penalty Hill.
Despite Wasko’s thorough planning assurances, two Lincoln County citizens expressed skepticism during the hearing.
Eric Hohman is a retired banker and newspaper publisher from Canton.
Madeline Voegeli, head of Neighbors Opposed to Prison Expansion, from rural Lincoln County.
The committee took no immediate action on the budget or prison construction issues.