25.882.16 100th Legislative Session SCR608
2025 South Dakota Legislature
Senate Concurrent Resolution 608
Introduced by: Senator Foster
Underscores indicate new language.
Overstrikes indicate deleted language.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION, To provide for an interim study to examine the South 1
Dakota criminal justice system with a focus on substance abuse, mental 2
health issues, and corrections. 3
WHEREAS, the South Dakota criminal justice system faces challenges in addressing 4
substance abuse and recidivism; and 5
WHEREAS, there is a need to explore alternative models and effective strategies for 6
criminal justice reform; and 7
WHEREAS, substance abuse is a significant driver of criminal behavior in South Dakota; 8
and 9
WHEREAS, there is a growing movement to shift substance abuse from a criminal justice 10
issue to a public health issue; and 11
WHEREAS, many states have implemented successful models to address substance abuse 12
and mental health issues through corrections reform that could be utilized in South Dakota; 13
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Senate of the One Hundredth Legislature of 14
the State of South Dakota, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the 15
Executive Board of the Legislative Research Council establish an interim committee to conduct 16
a comprehensive review of the South Dakota adult and juvenile criminal justice system with 17
a particular focus on recidivism, substance abuse, and substance abuse and mental health 18
treatment; and 19
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the interim committee analyze successful models of 20
corrections and evaluate the performance of South Dakota's adult and juvenile correctional 21
systems, including rates of recidivism at one-year, three-year, and five-year intervals; and 22 25.882.16 2 SCR608
Underscores indicate new language.
Overstrikes indicate deleted language.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the interim committee explore how other states have 1
successfully addressed substance abuse and recidivism and provide recommendations on how 2
to transform substance abuse in South Dakota from a criminal justice issue to a public health 3
issue; and 4
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the interim committee review the effectiveness of 5
addiction and mental health treatment programs and vocational and education programs 6
within the criminal justice system and recommend improvements or changes; and 7
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the interim committee examine the effectiveness of 8
statewide specialty courts and provide recommendations to standardize and potentially 9
expand specialty courts across the state; and 10
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the interim committee review the funding and caseloads 11
for court services officers and parole agents and identify areas for improvement; and 12
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the interim committee seek relevant input from past and 13
current employees and inmates of the criminal justice system to gain insight into the strengths 14
and weaknesses of the system; and 15
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the interim committee investigate the role of the 16
Corrections Commission, including its regularity of meetings and the qualifications required 17
for membership on the commission, to ensure the commission is fulfilling its intended 18
purpose; and 19
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the interim committee report its findings and 20
recommendations, together with any proposed legislation, to the Executive Board of the 21
Legislative Research Council, on or before December 1, 2025. 22