SIOUX FALLS, S.D.- The South Dakota Department of Corrections (DOC) has busted a ring of drug smuggling coming into state prison facilities through an internal investigation. Secretary of Corrections Kellie Wasko announced the preliminary results of that investigation.
“We are stopping the flow of drugs into our prison facilities. My team has worked collaboratively with the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to achieve this,” said Secretary Kellie Wasko. “We have identified and stopped methods used to introduce dangerous contraband that had a direct effect on the overdose deaths.”
The following three methods of drug delivery into the state prison facilities were identified and stopped:
- Through the use of counterfeit packages imitating well-known manufacturers with large amounts of drugs sent in through these packages; and
- Through false use of the privileged mail system, such as counterfeit legal mail; and
- Through the actions of visitors, including family members and friends, bringing drugs into the prison during visitation, which contributed to one of the deaths.
A total of three offender deaths, including two during May and one in February, are linked to drug overdoses in DOC facilities in Sioux Falls. Two of the overdoses happened at the Jameson Annex, while one occurred at the South Dakota State Penitentiary.
The DOC will not tolerate introduction of drugs to harm our staff or offenders. An investigation involving the DOC Inspector General’s Office, the DCI, and the U.S. Postmaster General is ongoing. If the results of the investigation warrant prosecution, criminal charges will be sought. We will continue to counter every attempt to introduce dangerous contraband into our facilities.
The introduction of drugs in the prison facilities has led to the DOC enacting non-contact visits for family and friends of offenders in certain facilities. Non-contact visits may be expanded to other prison facilities. Additional policy changes are also under review.
“We wanted to ensure that the public is aware of the work that has been done in these cases. We are taking action to keep staff and inmates safe,” continued Secretary Wasko.
Anyone who delivers or procures to be delivered, or possesses with the intent to deliver, to any inmate in a state correctional facility a prescription or nonprescription drug or controlled substance, except as authorized by the Department of Corrections, is guilty of a Class 4 felony, punishable by up to ten years in prison and a fine of twenty thousand dollars.
South Dakota Department of Corrections