South Dakota
Calls for transparency and accountability permeate prison commission meeting • South Dakota Searchlight
The first meeting of the South Dakota Corrections Commission in nearly a year drew calls for transparency and accountability from commissioners, lawmakers and members of the public.
Under state law, the commission is meant to advise the Department of Corrections (DOC) on matters of justice and public safety. The DOC also needs commission approval to spend any money to adjust the operations of prison industries like the state’s license plate or sign-making shops.
There was much to discuss on Thursday.
Wealth of controversies, outbreaks of violence spark questions on prison oversight
Since the commission’s last meeting in October of 2023, the Department of Corrections has faced a series of controversies, among them a lawsuit in Lincoln County over its proposed site for a new men’s prison, two bouts of unrest at two separate prisons that injured inmates and staff, a suspension of tablet-based communications that contributed to one of those bouts of violence, and concerns from inmates and family members over the price of goods made available through the state’s new commissary vendor.
Questions have also emerged about the commission’s role in light of testimony from DOC Secretary Kellie Wasko to lawmakers on the state’s Government Operations and Audit Committee in July, as well as comments from some commission members suggesting that the group has ceased to serve its intended purpose.
As many as 33 people at a time logged in for the virtual meeting, a figure that includes Department of Corrections staff members and commissioners.
Most who spoke expressed concerns over the host of issues facing the prison system.
“I’ve heard nothing but more chaos in the past six months,” said Sen. Shawn Bordeaux, D-Mission, who was elected to serve as the commission’s chair on Thursday. “I’m really struggling with what we can do.”
Role of commission debated
Wasko began the meeting by addressing what she called “perceived interpretations” of the laws defining the commission’s role.
On July 31, Wasko told the state’s audit committee that she answers to it, not the commission. Prior to that meeting, DOC officials had asserted in public statements that the commission’s only role was to oversee Pheasantland Industries, the umbrella term for the industrial shops inside DOC facilities.
Those assertions came despite language in state law that defines the commission’s role more broadly. In the past, its members toured prisons, asked questions about justice reform efforts and security measures, and weighed in on new prison construction options.
Particularly with security incidents, Wasko said July 31, she doesn’t feel that she should discuss the details with the commission’s citizen members in the group’s open public meetings. She also suggested that lawmakers reassess the commission’s role.
Head of state prison system wants to ‘close the doors’ to public scrutiny of security incidents
On Thursday, she read the law that created the commission, noting that the statute refers to it as an advisory body, not an oversight one. She said she’d “done some homework” by reviewing notes from 10 years of commission meetings and learned that the commission’s focus narrowed to prison industries sometime around 2018.
The commission’s members were given paper copies of the DOC’s annual statistical report in January. If commissioners want to weigh in and advise the DOC based on those figures, Wasko said, they are welcome to do so.
She receives and responds to calls from lawmakers on a weekly basis, she said. But aside from Judge Christina Klinger and newly appointed member Sen. Helene Duhamel, R-Rapid City, “I’ve never received a single email, text or call from another member of this commission asking for an opportunity to discuss a concern,” Wasko said.
Commission members David McGirr and Mark Anderson have bemoaned the body’s narrowed focus. On Thursday, McGirr said previous iterations of the commission had a more useful role.
Without discussions on broader justice issues, he said, there’s little incentive for the unpaid commissioners to show up at all.
“It really feels like we don’t need to be meeting several times a year to discuss prison industries and financials,” he said.
Previous commissions spent time talking about diversion programs and ways to reduce the prison population, Anderson said. Yet the commission has never discussed the state’s current plans for new prisons over the two years those plans have taken shape.
“My biggest concern is that we’re looking at building a prison when the people before you, their intention was to reduce the number of inmates so we didn’t have to build a new prison,” Anderson said.
Rep. Kevin Jensen, R-Canton, a former commission member, joined Thursday’s meeting to say he intends to bring legislation to strengthen the commission’s role. The group learned a lot from tours, Jensen said, and its members discussed justice issues and potential legislative fixes on an ongoing basis. The law that created the commission says the group should engage in a “continuing study” of criminal justice issues, Jensen said.
“I don’t see any continuing study,” he said. “It seems like it’s just meeting to meeting.”
Jensen wrote an op-ed for The Dakota Scout newspaper, published Thursday morning, that outlined his concerns in more detail.
Wasko told commissioners she’d be happy to offer more information or to set up tours of prison facilities. As for justice reform efforts, Wasko said none of them moved the needle on the state’s prison population in the years before her arrival from Colorado in 2022. She’s worked since then to address the issues that were front and center, such as overcrowding and staffing.
“I came into this state looking at an agenda, and I followed what that agenda was,” Wasko said.
As for calls to adjust the authority or scope of the commission’s work, Wasko said she would prefer that it “remain in the advisory capacity, as state statute recommends.”
Calls for transparency
The meeting’s regular agenda included a discussion of changes to prison commissary operations. The DOC switched its vendor for the prison store starting this month. As part of the contract with Union Supply, inmates work to manage inventory on site at the prison in Sioux Falls.
DOC Finance Director Brittni Skipper said one of the goals of the switch was to offer inventory skills training in areas like forklift operations.
“They get the skills that are needed in a high-demand industry in e-commerce,” Skipper said.
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Some inmates and family members have complained of higher prices, however. McGirr said he’s seen media reports on the prices, and said he’d voted to approve the changes last October with the understanding that prices would drop.
“The idea was that we would see a lowering in cost to the prisoners as well as some profit-making to help run the prisons,” McGirr said.
Skipper said the new commissary catalog includes 142 new items. Of the items listed in both the old and new catalogs, she said, more than half cost less or are within 10 cents of their prior price.
“One of the biggest items for commissary are ramen noodles,” Skipper said. “The difference is one cent.”
McGirr wondered why there wouldn’t be more savings, given that inmates earn a dollar an hour to manage the system.
“I had hoped we would live up to our expectations,” he said.
Wasko said there are good reasons for some of the price increases. Televisions cost more now, she said, but the new televisions are “prison grade,” more durable and with clear outer casings for security.
Beth Warden, a reporter with Dakota News Now, referenced that point in her own public comments. Warden decried what she described as a lack of transparency and argued that the DOC’s reticence to answer basic questions on security incidents or issues like price increases does damage to the agency’s credibility.
Wasko’s explanation on the price of televisions, Warden said, could’ve been shared with the reporters covering the inmates’ price concerns.
“Why are we having to fight to get answers that would lower the tension?” Warden said.
Lynette Johnson, the widow of slain correctional officer Ron “R.J.” Johnson, also called on Wasko to adjust her approach. Johnson’s husband was murdered by two inmates in 2011, both of whom have since been put to death.
“If you follow the agenda of the past, there was no transparency,” Johnson said.
Rep. Linda Duba, D-Sioux Falls, put the blame for a lack of openness on Republican Gov. Kristi Noem’s office. The lawmaker said the state needs more information on corrections, because “it belongs to all of us.”
“For six years, I have seen the shutting down of transparency in this state,” Duba said. “I agree with the press in their frustration.”
Nieema Thasing, an advocate for inmates who lives in Sioux Falls, thanked Wasko for opening up the discussion and addressing several of the issues that have arisen this year, calling the discussion “forward-looking.”
Thasing then suggested that the state create a citizen commission to address the concerns of inmates, family members and members of the communities to which most incarcerated individuals return after serving their sentences.
“I would volunteer myself, and I know there would be other people who would serve on a citizen commission,” Thasing said.
After the meeting, newly elected commission chairman Bordeaux said he supports the idea of a citizen commission, and that he would be happy to work with Rep. Jensen on bills to strengthen the corrections commission’s role. He also said he plans to bring a bill to add two more lawmakers to the commission to act as liaisons for the rest of the Legislature.
The next Corrections Commission meeting is set for Nov. 19.
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South Dakota
FCS Football Recruiting Roundup: South Dakota, Montana State Target 2027 Defensive Standouts
Welcome to another edition of the FCS Football Central Recruiting Roundup.
As spring practice winds down, recruits are still continuing to get on campus to visit schools and meet with their coaching staff. I caught up with some of the latest prospects who received an offer from an FCS program after their visit.
Amarie King | 2027 | DB | 5’7″ 140 lbs | Case High School | Racine, WI
King received his latest offer from South Dakota on April 17 after speaking with defensive coordinator Billy Kirch.
“Coach Kirch told me bout the offer, and that conversation went well. He told me a lot about the school, and asked me what my family and parents do. He said that my film was amazing and that he wanted to offer me,” King said.
“My recruitment is going well, although it is a little stressful here and there, but I am really just being patient and trusting the process, and keep working.”
He has visits to South Dakota and Drake coming up. Last season, he finished with 44 tackles, eight pass breakups, and six interceptions for the Eagles.
After a great conversation with coach kirch I’m blessed to I’ve received my first division 1 offer from @SDCoyotesFB @AntonGraham_ @MJ_NFLDraft @CoachBKirch @joshmanchigiah pic.twitter.com/jaxIYac67A
— Amarie King (@Amarieking27) April 17, 2026
Jayden Harris | 2027 | ATH | 6’2″ 170 lbs | Manteca High School | Manteca, CA
Harris picked up his latest offer from Montana State on Friday when he was in Bozeman for the Bobcats’ Junior Day, and meeting with cornerbacks coach Jordan Lee, defensive coordinator Bobby Daly, and head coach Brent Vigen.
“First, it was Coach Lee, then I had meetings with Coach Daly and Coach Vigen, who broke the news while we were talking. They want me to come in and play early. They like my versatility as a defensive back, and that’s why they offered me,” Harris said.
“The visit was cool! The snow was coming down, and the coaches still showed love. Recruiting is going well right now. Most schools that are in touch with me see something in me for sure, especially since I’m a zero-star athlete, so that’s love. I feel like I’m the best DB in California, and my measurements and production speak for themselves.”
He also has offers from Idaho, Washington State, and Sacramento State. He has upcoming visits to Arizona State and New Mexico.
Last season, he finished with 63 tackles, 11 pass breakups, nine interceptions, six tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and two pick-sixes for the Buffaloes.
Blessed to receive an offer from Montana State University 🐾 @ballcoachLee @CoachBobbyDaly @CoachSauve @CoachSmith59 @bvigen @BrandonHuffman @Rivals_Recruits @GregBiggins pic.twitter.com/ofYdjJKcmK
— Jay Harris (@JaydenOHarris) April 18, 2026
Maurice “MJ” Harrell | 2026 | DB | 6’1″ 170 lbs | Hutchinson CC | Hutchinson, KS
Harrell picked up his first Division I offer from Houston Christian on April 17 after he spoke with cornerbacks coach DeMarcus Coleman.
“Coach Coleman called and told me he liked what we saw from the videos I sent him, and that he wanted me to be a part of his program,” Harrell said.
Last season, he finished with 20 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and a fumble recovery for the Blue Dragons. Mercyhurst, Division II UTPB, and Missouri Southern are some other schools he has been in contact with.
Blessed To Receive my first d1 offer from Houstan Christian University pic.twitter.com/OBD9ITQZHS
— MauriceHarrell (@M_Harrell19) April 18, 2026
Jadhari Young | 2026 | WR | 6’1″ 200 lbs | De Anza College | Cupertino, CA
Young received his latest offer from Eastern Illinois on April 15 after speaking with wide receivers coach Tino Smith.
“Coach Smith called me, and we had a long and great conversation. He told me he believes in me and that he thinks I can be great under his coaching,” Young said. “My recruitment has been going great since I graduated two weeks ago. A lot of coaches have expressed a lot of interest in me.”
Young also has offers from Sacramento State, Prairie View A&M, and Chicago State. Last season, he hauled in receptions for 559 yards and seven touchdowns for the Mountain Lions. He was named a Golden Coast Conference First Team selection.
He will be taking his official visit to Eastern Illinois on April 24. Gardner-Webb, West Florida, Monmouth, Stony Brook, and UMass are some other schools he is hearing from.
Blessed to receive my 5th D1 offer from Eastern Illinois University — Dhari Young “DEBO” (@dharigogetit) April 15, 2026
Thank you Coach @coachtinosmith for believing in me💯 pic.twitter.com/yMZjnsfRvK
AJ Moore | 2027 | RB | 5’9″ 200 lbs | College of Dupage | Glen Ellyn, IL
Moore received his first Division I offer from Lindenwood on April 17 after speaking with running backs coach Lane Lawson.
“Coach Lawson called and offered me. He just told me he’d be really excited to have me over and thinks I could be a part of something special with the program they got going over there,” Moore said.
Last season, he finished with 81 carries for 518 yards and five touchdowns, while adding nine receptions for 73 yards and two touchdowns for the Chaparrals, who won their fifth consecutive NJCAA Division III national championship. Moore is working on scheduling his official visit to Lindenwood.
#AGTG After a great conversation with @CoachLawsonLU I am blessed to have my first division 1 offer from Lindenwood University @LindenwoodFB @Dupage_Football @JUCOFFrenzy @AllenTrieu @JordanWesty1 pic.twitter.com/DGLjZC4gIA
— AJ Moore (@ajmoore6_) April 17, 2026
Leshem Nyante | 2027 | OT | 6’5″ 265 lbs | Anna High School | Anna, TX
Nyante picked up his latest offer from Texas Rio Grande Valley on April 17 after he spoke with offensive line coach Jeff Bowen.
“Coach Bowen reached out this morning to officially extend the offer. It was a great talk, and he mentioned they really liked my film and how I would fit their system. So we are focused on building that relationship now,” Nyante said.
“I’m really grateful for how my recruiting process is unfolding so far. Things are definitely moving fast with spring ball right around the corner, and it’s been great seeing the increase in interest every week.”
He also has offers from Arkansas State, Division II Midwestern State, and East Central University. Old Dominion, Texas State, UTEP, and New Mexico are some other schools he is hearing from. Nyante will be taking an official visit to Arkansas State in June.
#AGTG After a great conversation with @CoachJeffBowen , I am blessed to receive a D1 offer from @UTRGVFootball !!@8_parr @Coach_Rigg @tylerdedwards33 @Sevier5 @jessedstew @AnnaCoyotesFB @CoachTBush @Perroni247 @SWiltfong_ @CKennedy247 pic.twitter.com/6o9H13baAb
— Leshem (Shem) Nyantee (@leshemnyantee10) April 17, 2026
Matthew Lashley | 2027 | DB | 6’1″ 198 lbs | Riverside City College | Riverside, CA
Lashley received his latest offer from East Texas A&M on April 15 after speaking with safeties coach Luke Jaicks.
“Coach Jaicks called and offered me. He’s a great coach, and I would love to play for him,” Lashley said. “My recruitment is going well; it’s starting to heat up after spring ball.”
He also has an offer from Southern Utah. Last season, he finished with 14 tackles and two interceptions for the Tigers.
Blessed to receive another D1 offer to @Lions_FB! @JacksonSimon25 @nilsonsports pic.twitter.com/X4iLU8VRID
— Matthew Lashley (@MatthewLashley_) April 15, 2026
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(SOUTH DAKOTA SEARCHLIGHT) – Democrats are running for 46 of South Dakota’s 105 legislative seats — leaving 56% of seats without a Democratic candidate.
That doesn’t bode well for the party ahead of November, said Michael Card, professor emeritus of political science at the University of South Dakota.
“It doesn’t put them in a position to actually put forward their ideological policy preferences and have much of a success at getting those enacted,” Card said.
In the state Senate alone, Democrats have failed to field a candidate for 22 seats, which is nearly two-thirds of the chamber. In the House, Democrats have failed to field a candidate for 38 seats, which is 54% of the chamber.
There is only one Democratic legislative primary in the state: a state Senate race in District 26, which includes the Rosebud Reservation.
There are no statewide Democratic primaries, after announced candidates for governor and U.S. House dropped out or failed to gather enough petition signatures to make the ballot, leaving one Democrat in each of those races.
Statewide candidates will have less name recognition than Republican candidates ahead of the general election, since they didn’t have primaries, Card said. In the Legislature, Card said Democrats “are guaranteeing they won’t get a majority.”
In contrast, Republicans have primary races for governor, U.S. House and U.S. Senate. Five legislative districts do not have Republican primaries, but do have Republican candidates. There is a Republican candidate running for every legislative seat, except for one House seat in District 27, which includes the Pine Ridge Reservation.
Card said there are several factors leading to poor candidate turnout among Democrats, including a self-fulfilling cycle of failure.
“A lack of winning makes fewer people willing to take a chance on running for office,” Card said. “Why run if I think I’m going to lose?”
Democrats haven’t held a statewide office since 2015, and they haven’t held a majority of either legislative chamber since 1994.
Joe Zweifel, deputy executive director of the South Dakota Democratic Party, said the organization worked “really, really hard” to convince Democrats to run for office.
“But you can’t force people to run for office,” said Zweifel, of Sioux Falls, who’s running for a legislative seat himself in District 12.
He’s heard the open seats called a “failure.” But he disagrees, choosing to focus on the Democrats who did step forward.
“We’re running quality, good candidates in those races,” Zweifel said.
The South Dakota Democratic Party hopes to build on legislative successes, such as a new law from Rep. Kadyn Wittman, D-Sioux Falls, that commits state funding to cover the family portion of reduced-price school meals.
“That specifically is a return on investment for our donors, and it shows that Democrats are doing good things for the people of South Dakota,” Zweifel said.
Wittman’s success helped inspire Democratic District 13 House of Representatives candidate Ali Rae Horsted, of Sioux Falls, to take a second run at the Legislature. Horsted ran unsuccessfully for the Senate against Sen. Sue Peterson in 2024, garnering 42% of the vote.
Horsted plans to build on that success and the name recognition she already has in the district. She hopes she’ll have “better odds” in this election, since there are two House seats for every district.
Horsted said it would better serve South Dakota if the state had a more balanced Legislature. While the latest Legislature was 92% Republican, 52% of voters in South Dakota are Republican. South Dakota has the lowest percentage of Democrats, 7.6%, in the Legislature nationwide.
“I think it’s important that people have options on the ballot,” Horsted said, “and people are able to vote for candidates that represent their values and their vision for the future of South Dakota.”
Makenzie Huber is a lifelong South Dakotan who regularly reports on the intersection of politics and policy with health, education, social services and Indigenous affairs. Her work with South Dakota Searchlight earned her the title of South Dakota’s Outstanding Young Journalist in 2024, and she was a 2024 finalist for the national Livingston Awards.
South Dakota Searchlight is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
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