Letter: State should include rehabilitation, workforce training in new prison plans

I appreciated the viewpoint by Sen. Brent Hoffman recently regarding the lack of rehabilitation at the South Dakota State Men's Prison. As a former college educator, I spent the majority of my career assisting people with their career and job issues. I spent a significant amount of time volunteering at the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls helping prisoners seek direction for their lives in the future. I was shocked to learn that the large majority of inmates I worked with had little, if any, work experience prior to entering the prison system. Was it any wonder the inmates ended up in prison with their limited skills and work experience?

I agree with Sen. Hoffman that the citizens of South Dakota definitely want inmates to serve their sentences for crimes they have done. However, I am concerned that we aren't offering inmates tools and resources to help them become successful and productive citizens once they finish their sentences and reenter civilian life. I believe there should be more emphasis on vocational and life rehabilitation taking place in the South Dakota prison system.

As the state puts together plans for a new prison facility, I would hope the Legislature and any committees putting together plans for such a facility consider including space and resources for non-punitive rehabilitation.

Since there appears to be a shortage of qualified workers in our state, this is a prime opportunity for the penal system to work harder to develop job opportunities for inmates that will make them marketable and productive citizens.

Our goal should go beyond punishing prisoners. We need to help them become productive citizens in our society. This seems to be a prime time to look at how we might improve conditions in our penal institutions to offer inmates productive and successful futures in society.

Markus Patterson,
Sioux Falls