South Dakota local law enforcement in Sioux Falls are expressing frustration with parolees recommitting crimes. Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum and Minnehaha county Sheriff Mike Milstead both took to the podium this week at a weekly press conference and did not mince words about the problem the state has with recidivism.
According to the statistics South Dakota has the ninth highest recidivism rate in the nation. Approximately 50 percent of South Dakota inmates will reoffend within five years of their release.
This topic was discussed at the most recent GOP gubernatorial primary debate where incumbent governr Larry Rhoden, speaker of the South Dakota House Jon Hansen, US Congressman Dusty Johnson and Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden each gave their view on the subject.
Doeden blamed those on stage for the state’s current parole situation and vowed to put resources towards it if elected…
Gov. Rhoden said his administration does not defend where the state is at on parole and says steps are already being made to fix it…
Speaker Hansen blames the leadership at the Department of Corrections for the current situation and gave three pillars to curb the problem…
Finally, Congressman Johnson says offenders are getting too many chances under the current system…
