PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) — The state wants a new men’s prison, Lincoln County landowners near the proposed prison want a pause in the project, and lawmakers want to know why the proposed prison costs substantially more than a new Nebraska prison of similar size.

Prison opponents also want to see the state utilize programs that focus more on chemical dependency rehabilitation and job skills instead of incarceration.

These were the takeaways from Wednesday’s Joint Appropriations Committee’s hearing on SB49.

The bill would transfer over a quarter of a billion dollars from the state general fund and budget reserves and an additional $10 million in federal funds into the state’s incarceration fund.

State correction officials say the men’s prison will cost around $567 million. This got legislators’ attention. Legislators said they had learned the Nebraska men’s prison for 1,500 inmates will cost $350 million.

Department of Corrections Sec. Kellie Wasko told legislators that the Nebraska prison has a far different configuration than the proposed South Dakota facility. She also said that Nebraska can source everything they need to build the facility within 50 miles and that is not the case for the proposed Lincoln County site.

Several opponents testified that the committee had a chance to pause the project to reconsider not just the cost and location but how South Dakota could reduce recidivism through more drug and alcohol programs and educational and vocational programs.

“The elected people of South Dakota need to have a say and provide guidance to an appointed bureaucrat in one of the state’s largest investments and expenditures,” said Kyah Broders from rural Canton. “A vote against this bill would create a break in proceedings that could require the Department of Corrections to work with communities and residents that are slated to endure a decision of this magnitude with generational impacts.”

Former Republican Speaker of the House Steve Haugaard also testified against the bill. Also, a long-time criminal defense attorney, Haugaard, said the state needs to look at how Scandinavian countries put more emphasis on rehabilitation and reintegration into society than South Dakota. He said most of the men in prison will eventually get out and “be standing next to you in the grocery store line.”

The committee deferred action on SB49.

However, the committee did pass SB50, a companion bill for funding the new women’s prison in Rapid City. The bill would transfer nearly $21 million in state funds and over $2 million in federal funds to the incarceration construction fund.

SB50 now goes to the Senate for further consideration.