(Pierre, SD) — A new study shows South Dakota’s recidivism rate is the ninth highest in the country. The Justice Center says the amount of convicted criminals who reoffend is up to 50 percent in the state. South Dakota is one of 14 states in the country that saw its recidivism rate increase from 2011 to 2021. Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum has repeatedly expressed frustration about having to keep arresting the same people. In 2024, the state Department of Corrections started a program to help ease the transition from prison to the community called Safer SD.
