A Safer Parole System

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A Safer Parole System

By: Governor Larry Rhoden

May 1, 2026

South Dakota is a safe place, and, thanks to the work of our law enforcement, we have decreased crime in double-digit percentages in several categories. But we never settle - and we are not satisfied. Just like life on the ranch, there is always work to be done.

It took everyone working together to achieve the largest single investment in public safety: building a new men's prison. Because of that success, we are now able to expand opportunities for rehabilitative programming. Soon, we will be past the overcrowding of our current gothic prison. It is time to move on to the next public safety challenge: designing a safer parole system.

Parole reform has always been a topic of conversation, even more so since the prison plan took shape. My team has been working with experts and stakeholders to peel back the layers of the issue and target them with solutions, one at a time. I recently announced some serious reforms at the Department of Corrections (DOC) to tackle these issues.

Parolees committing new crimes is a problem. Most folks think parolees would never commit any crimes so long as they are supervised by their parole agent - if only it were so simple. Parolees were in prison because they committed a crime, and despite our best efforts, some of them will fall into their old ways when they get out. Agents can't be with parolees 24/7, so no parole system will prevent all crime, but there are ways to improve. I have formed a new team of specialized parole agents. This will include more check-ins, especially evenings and weekends, for the most intensive parolees. If they aren't following the laws, they will go back to prison.

When an inmate is released on parole, the inmate promises to follow nine standard conditions. When a violation occurs, parole agents do their best to balance accountability with the opportunity for rehabilitation. The stories I have heard about parolees receiving too many second chances are frustrating and wrong, so we have changed this process. I have directed the DOC to take a tougher stance on DUIs, drug use, simple assault, and weapons violations that are a danger to others.

In just the first week since changing this policy, DOC nearly doubled the average number of revocations. These policies and others will continue to be reviewed by DOC as they plan the "Smarter Supervision Initiative," which they announced last month.

I'm committed to working with law enforcement, judges, and other elected officials on additional changes. Parole is one component of the criminal justice system. When the blame for a "broken" parole system is placed on one agency, remember: the Legislature makes the law, the executive implements it, and the judiciary applies it. If inmates display good behavior in prison, state law requires DOC to release them at their initial parole eligibility date. There is no discretion to hold them past that date, or DOC would be breaking the law. As legislators participate in the Correctional Rehabilitation Task Force and consider how to enhance rehabilitation, this may be an area to consider legislative changes.

Make no mistake, we are not done yet. This will take time. And just like work on the ranch, the work will never truly be done. I am thankful to all our law enforcement leaders for working together to keep South Dakota safe. If you have concerns and ideas, I would love to hear them. I am committed to working on legislation to further reform our parole laws.

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