While efforts to crack down on parole violators in Pennington and Minnehaha counties are producing more arrests, authorities note that its putting a strain on local jail resources.
A parole task force launched in Pennington County in April has worked with state partners to locate and detain violators after a rise in crimes involving parolees. Similar efforts are underway in Minnehaha County.
Pennington County Sheriff Brian Mueller said the increased enforcement led to a backlog of inmates awaiting transfer to state facilities, with the county jail at one point holding 30 to 40 parole violators.
Mueller said while the state reimburses counties $95 per day for housing inmates, actual costs range from $110 to $120 per day, leaving counties to cover the gap.
He said the state is working to add capacity and expressed confidence that a new governor’s prison task force will address the issue, while also noting ongoing discussions about expanding the Pennington County Jail, which has operated over capacity for years.
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