Gov. Rhoden Announces Correctional Rehabilitation Task Force Members

October 7, 2025

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Oct. 7, 2025
Contact: Josie Harms, josie.harms@state.sd.us

Gov. Rhoden Announces Correctional Rehabilitation Task Force Members

PIERRE, S.D.—Today, Gov. Larry Rhoden announced the membership of the Correctional Rehabilitation Task Force, which will determine the best path forward for expanding rehabilitation services as the state plans for the new prison.

“Securing a new prison was a major win for our state. Pairing our new facility with strong programming will lead to the best outcomes for inmates and result in safer communities for generations to come. This task force will prioritize reducing recidivism and getting offenders back to work,” said Gov. Rhoden.

This task force was established through Executive Order 2025-07 following the passage and signing of SB 2, which provides for a new prison in Sioux Falls. Both SB 2 and EO 2025-07 were signed at the conclusion of the special session on Sept. 23, 2025.

The Correctional Rehabilitation Task Force will assess the programming needs of the inmate population, understand options for faith-based and Native American-focused programs, study best practices for re-entry models, and make recommendations on how to best use the expanded space of the new facility.

“I am a strong believer in bringing voices from broad perspectives to the table. The task force’s diverse membership will ensure sound programming for our inmate population,” continued Gov. Rhoden.

The members of the Correctional Rehabilitation Task Force are:

Lt. Governor Tony Venhuizen, Chair
Mayor of Sioux Falls Paul TenHaken
Judge Patrick T. Pardy, Third Judicial Circuit
Senate President Pro Tempore Chris Karr, R-District 11
Sen. Tamara Grove, R-District 26
Sen. Joy Hohn, R-District 9
Sen. Paul Miskimins, R-District 20
Sen. Ernie Otten, R-District 6
Sen. Sue Peterson, R-District 13
Sen. Jamie Smith, D-District 15
Rep. John Hughes, R-District 13
Rep. Greg Jamison, R-District 12
Rep. Chris Kassin, R-District 17
Rep. Brian Mulder, R-District 11
Rep. Tim Reisch, R-District 8
Rep. Tesa Schwans, R-District 9
Rep. Eric Emery, D-District 26A
Rep. Kadyn Wittman, D-District 15
Minnehaha County State’s Attorney Danial Haggar
Pennington County Sheriff Brian Mueller
Southeast Tech President Cory Clasemann
Minnehaha County Jail Warden Mike Mattson
State Court Administrator Greg Sattizahn, Unified Judicial System
Sioux Falls City Council Member Rich Merkouris
Founder of I.Am.Legacy Erik Brings White
CEO of Great Plains Tribal Leader’s Health Board Jerilyn Church
Executive Director of SD Council of Mental Health Centers Terry Dosch
Sioux Falls School Board Member Dawn Marie Johnson
Secretary of Labor and Regulation Marcia Hultman
Department of Corrections Deputy Secretary Brent Fluke

The task force will begin its work later this month.

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