South Dakota’s prison construction costs grow to more than $800 million
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November 15, 2024
PIERRE, S.D.–The Legislature’s Appropriations Committee is getting a picture of how much it will cost to build new prisons.
Lawmakers have set aside about $600 million for prison construction in recent years…and were told Thursday it will take another $200 million to get the job done.
In the meantime, Corrections Secretary Kelly Wasko says the need for more prison space is growing.
Contractors gave a maximum guaranteed price of $825 million for the new men’s prison proposed to be built between Harrisburg and Canton.
Roughly two-thirds of the construction work will be performed by South Dakota contractors.