South Dakotans Impacted by Incarceration plans next meeting

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - A meeting recently took place to address concerns at the state's prison system, and facilitators say that's just the beginning.

At the September 19th meeting in the Sioux Falls Downtown Library, loved ones of inmates, DOC employees, law enforcement as well as current and former legislators filled the room. It became a safe space to share and listen to concerns for those who live or work behind bars.

Those in the room had questions about what happens behind the prison gates in South Dakota. South Dakotans Impacted by Incarceration founder and wife, Erin Vicars wants those with questions and concerns about the Department of Corrections to come forward.

"We have been for the last almost three years told to be quiet, told to just take the hits that we're getting, and it's time for us as families, as staff, as loved ones to be heard," said Vicars.

The meeting was a sounding board and a spring board to collectively raise issues. The list of concerns includes lack of communication from prison management to both inmates and staff, repeated lockdowns, medical treatment availability, food availability and safety, reduction of phone call time, and reduction of and lack classes or inmate jobs.

For every resident of the prison is a group outside who are also affected.

"Impact from the inside, it's felt outside too. And so, transparency with communication announcements would really do a lot of good for the loved ones that are also feeling the impact of the incarceration as well," said Terry Liggins.

Liggins founded the Hurdle Life Coach Foundation, which helps former inmates re-enter into a new world.

"The perspective that is often underrepresented as it pertains to incarceration in South Dakota, we hear from a lot of different actors and representatives, but it's not all the time that you can hear from the loved one of the incarcerated," said Liggins.

A sign of mutual respect for all came as a loved one of an inmate voiced concern for DOC staff to safely make it back home at the end of the their shift. Both current and former legislators took in the concerns.

"I always think it's important for state legislators, and really any person who participates, participates in local government to be available for questions, to be available for constituents to talk to you about issues that matter to them. As the representative where the current penitentiary exists, I know that this is a really important issue for my constituents, and not just my constituents who are able to vote, but my constituents who are currently incarcerated and unable to vote for me," said Representative Kadyn Wittman of Sioux Falls.

Facilitators told Dakota News Now they're working on discussion from the meeting and developments that followed. Reports are coming into the group of all three sweat lodges, which are considered a church to the Native American people, being torn down at the penitentiary.

The second meeting is planned for next month. Dakota News Now will let you know the date and more details as soon as it's confirmed.