Overcrowding in state women’s prison in Pierre means not enough resources available to provide drug or alcohol treatment services

The overcrowded women’s prison in Pierre has gotten a lot of attention in legislative hearings over the past two weeks (mid-May 2022).

Corrections Department Secretary Kellie Wasko told the Appropriations Committee its difficult to provide needed drug and alcohol rehabilitation in that type of situation.

Wasko says many of the female prisoners get no attention at all.

Wasko says in the short term, they will do what they can.

Wasko, who was appointed to the job in March 2022, also spoke to the Government Operations and Audit committee.

The legislature has a committee appointed that will study the state’s corrections system this summer.

(Story courtesy of news partner WNAX.)