Gov. Noem signs bills to fund new prisons

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Republican Gov. Kristi Noem signed legislation that puts more than $390 million into the state’s prison system, with most of that money going toward investing in new prison facilities.

One of the bills signed by Noem on Monday allocates $60 million to construct a women’s prison in Rapid City. Another sets aside $54 million for property and design costs for a Sioux Falls men’s prison and puts $270 million into a fund for future construction. Total cost of the new men’s prison is expected to top $500 million.

Lawmakers widely supported the bills as they made their way through the session.

March 21, 2023