July 30, 2021
Amidst a shake-up of South Dakota’s top Corrections officials, Governor Kristi Noem recently visited with frontline workers at the South Dakota State Penitentiary to address low morale and other issues.
From a story in the SD Argus Leader:
More people within the South Dakota Department of Corrections could lose their jobs because of an ongoing internal investigation into workplace misconduct throughout the state agency.
That’s according to Gov. Kristi Noem, who spoke publicly for the first time (last) Friday about the leadership shakeup at the South Dakota State Penitentiary since firing two high-ranking prison administrators earlier this month.
“We’re getting to the bottom of all of what has happened here and getting the facts from employees,” the governor said while addressing reporters following a visit to the Sioux Falls prison, where she met with personnel. “The employees today are much more comfortable sharing information with us based on those changes. Before, they were concerned that they would be punished for speaking out.”
Note: Following a recent meeting with VSEA DOC members, the Governor said he would entertain the idea of visiting a state prison unannounced. To date, no commitment. It’s past time Governor.
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