(Pierre, SD) — South Dakota lawmakers are taking a hard look at how to reduce the number of people who return to prison after release. A new legislative committee wants to cut the state’s recidivism rate nearly in half, from more than 40 percent down to 20 percent. Senator Kevin Jensen says that could free up 200 prison beds a year. Lawmakers say fixing the issue means tackling addiction, improving re-entry programs, and asking why Native Americans, just nine percent of the state’s population, make up about 40 percent of the state’s prison population. The committee is also concerned about corrections staff safety after a recent inmate riot and plans to meet again on July 16th.
