NOPE says yep to Project Prison Reset's site selection
The long fight is over for Kyah Broders and Michelle Jensen, NOPE board members.A new state prison will not be built on this Department of Corrections-owned land near their homes.
'Nothing has really set in yet, other than I'm over the moon that the legislators and our governor obviously brought forth this whole reset process,' said Broders.
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'It was a big day yesterday and it does it feels great to know that all this hard work all this time, the efforts that it is actually paying off,' said Jensen.
The two are part of a group of friends and neighbors who got together and made their voices heard. The group formed a non profit, grew to 12 hundred members, lobbied lawmakers, raised legal funds, educated themselves and fought hard.
'This battle was tough; it was emotionally draining. It was time-consuming. I mean, we all have jobs during the day,' said Jensen.
It's clear to them that improvements need to be made in the prison system, but the process needs to remain open. Both Broders and Jensen applaud lawmakers and the new governor, Larry Rhoden.
'It's been a more transparent process, which is how I think all facts of the government should work,' said Jensen.
And they are grateful to the hundreds of people who made their opposition to the proposed prison effective.
'It's definitely been a group effort, it's amazing to know that you can make a difference with your voice but you have to get involved and you have to stay involved,' said Broders.
Locations in the Mitchell and Worthing areas are possible spots for a future DOC facility or facilities. The task force has also endorsed the possibility of building at current department facilities, which include locations in Sioux Falls and Springfield.
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