SD Committee receive update on condition of prisons

PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- South Dakota legislators heard from Corrections Department Secretary Kellie Wasko on the condition of prisons and what is in a consultant’s report.

Wasko told the Government Operations and Audit Committee that the report found many managers held multiple jobs.

Wasko says the management structure was not effective or efficient.

Wasko says they are also doing a study of staffing levels and assignments.

Wasko says she has been at every facility in the system.

Wasko says the women’s prison in Pierre is especially alarming.

Wasko says the women’s prison is one of two critical situations right now.

A separate study has called for spending up to six hundred million dollars on new and updated prison facilities.

The committee took no action on the reports.