UPDATE: House lawmakers passed Senate Bill 146. The bill now goes to Gov. Noem's desk for her signature.
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Senate Bill 146 would limit parole for certain offenders.
The ACLU of South Dakota opposes Senate Bill 146. This bill prescribes a one-size-fits-all solution to a very complex issue. It eliminates hope for whole families, increases cost of the prison system, and lacks a sufficiently careful and thoughtful approach for real people’s lives. Throwing away the key is not the answer.
Through the length of a sentence, there is a lot of time in which people can be helped to change and improve, then assessed to see whether they have progressed to a point where they can safely participate in society.
A legislative committee should not be responsible for an overhaul of the parole system. The topic should be studied extensively by a task force, and any changes to the system should be approached with careful consideration.
