FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 10, 2026

Contact: Josie Harms

 Gov. Rhoden Cuts Ribbon on New Women’s Prison

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden cut a “ribbon” of razor wire to signal the completion of construction on the new Women’s Correctional Facility in Rapid City. You can find a picture from the ribbon cutting here.

“Rehabilitation and recovery are essential in keeping our state strong, safe, and free,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “This modern correctional facility has ample programming space and will play a vital role in lowering recidivism, creating stronger families, and protecting our communities.”      

The new 102,750 square foot facility has three 96-bed housing units and boasts several rehabilitation efforts, including drug treatment, education, the Prison Fellowship Ministries program, and a 12-bed Mother Infant program building. Each of the housing units includes space for group treatment and programming activities, and one of the housing units features 96 drug treatment beds in a therapeutic community, which uses a highly structured treatment approach to target criminal thinking and substance use disorders and provide comprehensive care.

“Ninety-seven percent of female offenders enter prison with a substance use disorder assessment, and this new facility will strengthen our ability to provide treatment for those women,” said Secretary of Corrections Nick Lamb. “Through dedicated treatment space and a therapeutic community, women will receive the counseling, support, and life skills they need to break the cycle of addiction and successfully return to their families and communities.” 

The Department of Corrections (DOC) has also developed a partnership with Western Dakota Technical College on a one-semester Business Hospitality program to help participants build practical skills in customer service, communication, business operations, and hospitality so they are ready to enter the local workforce upon reentry. DOC is working with Sanford Health to create a three-week Patient Care Technician program with the potential to open doors to healthcare careers by providing participants with a foundation in patient care, professionalism, and workplace expectations.

The construction project was deemed to be substantially complete this week. DOC plans to begin moving offenders from the Pierre Minimum Center and Women’s Prison in Pierre to the new facility beginning next month once staff training is completed.

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