SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Per South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley, overdoses were “likely” responsible for two recent prison deaths: 39-year-old inmate Jason Garreau was discovered unresponsive at the state penitentiary in Sioux Falls, and 24-year-old inmate Joshua Arrow was found at the nearby Jameson Annex. In the meantime, Project Prison Reset’s task force examines where to recommend building a replacement for the state penitentiary currently sitting in Sioux Falls.

1.2 million yd³ of dirt moving on S. Veterans Parkway

“Let’s just say we’re at the new prison, and these inmates are still addicted to drugs but are receiving the proper treatment, maybe there’ll be less pressure from the outside to get drugs in because that inmate isn’t after it so bad,” said Republican state Rep. Greg Jamison, who sits on the task force.

“I think a lot of people sit in our prisons and … the only thing they spiral on is getting that next hit, right,” said Democratic state Sen. Jamie Smith, who is also on the task force. “Got a lot of time to think. And hopefully we can help people learn how to think in a different way.”

But drugs are making their way behind the walls.

“We have 62 open criminal files in the penitentiary right now,” South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said Tuesday. “A majority of those are controlled substance-related, and certainly that’s a concern.”

Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Milstead, who sits on the task force with Smith and Jamison, points out how someone walking or driving by the current penitentiary has the opportunity to simply throw something over the prison wall situated right next to North Drive.

“It’s not unusual for contraband to go over the walls at the state prison,” Milstead said.

He also brings up in-person visits, which are not allowed at the Minnehaha County Jail.

“Quite frankly, as I said, if they continue to have contact visits, that’s the weakest link,” Milstead said. “It’s nice to have a contact visit. We have found, though, that our video visitation, we have no complaints.”

A new facility could bring with it significant change, but contraband is not a simple problem.

“Is it going to make it all better right away?” Smith said. “No, there’s many sophisticated systems that inmates have in order to do that.”

“A new prison has the opportunity to create better treatment facilities, better ways to prevent that addiction from continuing as they get out,” Jamison said. “And the current prison is antiquated and doesn’t have the space, doesn’t have the resources to take care of those issues that are crystal clear to me.”

In response to an interview request from KELOLAND’s Dan Santella for this report, the state Department of Corrections sent a statement from Secretary of Corrections Kellie Wasko: “A modern facility brings tangible barriers for drug introduction, the tactical design for drug detection devices, and an environment that will foster treatment, and over time, a decreased desire for drug use. Offenders will find that the new facility design doesn’t allow for the many opportunities to hide contraband as the current Penitentiary does.”