(Pierre, SD) — A prison design firm is calling out the high price tag on South Dakota’s proposed new prison. Indiana-based Elevatus Architecture, which has built more than 200 justice facilities, says the state’s 825-million-dollar estimate is way too high. In a letter to Attorney General Marty Jackley, the firm suggests a similar 15-hundred bed project could cost closer to 525 million. Jackley, who sits on the prison task force, says he asked for the letter after speaking with sheriffs and reviewing the firm’s past work in the state. The task force meets again today in Pierre and is expected to discuss the concerns.
