Construction begins on new women's prison in Rapid City

South Dakota began construction on a new women's correctional facility in Rapid City to address overcrowding at the Women’s Prison in Pierre. The groundbreaking ceremony Monday was a significant milestone, according to state and local officials.

The facility, located at 1056 North Creek Drive, will house up to 288 medium-security female inmates. It will feature modern security measures including a double-fenced perimeter with razor wire, advanced detection systems, and round-the-clock patrols.

Kellie Wasko, Secretary of Corrections, highlighted the importance of the new institution.

"Considering the overcrowding in the Department of Corrections right now, this second female facility is crucial for safety," she said.

The design of the new institution aligns with the standards set by the American Correctional Association. Wasko said the objective was not merely to provide additional space but to ensure the space was both smarter and safer. The process of selecting the right location was intricate. Several factors were considered in the selection process, she explained, including examining the surrounding areas, assessing existing infrastructure, and determining the land's availability to fulfill the construction requirements of the facility.

The push for the new correctional facility began in 2021 when both the South Dakota Department of Corrections and the Legislature recognized its necessity.

Changing prison demographics contributed to the need for the expansion, according to Pennington County Sheriff Brian Mueller.

"Our facilities were initially designed for a 10% female population, but now Pennington County sees over 25% female inmates," he said.

Mueller discussed the issue of overcrowding, highlighting that the female prison in Pierre has been operating at or beyond its capacity for a while now. He mentioned that Pennington County oversees the statewide prisoner transportation system, which has posed challenges for numerous county facilities throughout the state.

However, Mueller is hopeful about the new facility's impact.

“They’re going to have treatment and rehabilitation services built into a wing at the new women’s prison in Rapid City. Hopefully we can help people change the trajectory of their lives for the short period of time that we have them in custody, so when they get out, they’re not returning into the criminal justice system,” Mueller said.

The project's funding includes $60 million from the Incarceration Construction Fund, sourced from state appropriations and Governor Kristi Noem’s 2024 fiscal year budget.

Scull Construction and Flintco are the appointed construction managers, targeting a completion date between late 2025 and early 2026.