The subject of a new Davison County Jail surfaced during Tuesday’s County Commission meeting. Commissioner Chris Nebelsick started the discussion during the Sheriff’s Office budget review.
“It’s a need, you know it’s going to be a safety issue soon,” said Nebelsick. “And then you start dropping $100,000 here and $50,000 there, it’s just like a vehicle, I mean it’s nickel and diming us to death.”
Sheriff Steve Harr told Commissioners the jail has a less than stellar reputation. “It’s not uncommon to see pieces of concrete falling off walls,” said the Sheriff. “We’re very well known in South Dakota amongst law enforcement and inmates that we have the worst jail in South Dakota.”
The current facility was built into the south portion of the former Methodist Hospital building which the county purchased in the 1990’s. The jail opened in 1996.
Commissioner Denny Kiner suggested starting a capital outlay fund as a first step in what could prove to be year’s-long process.
A number of jails around the state are used to house federal prisoners and act as a revenue source.
There was no official action taken.