PIERRE, SD – Anonymous complaints about sexual harassment and other issues from employees at the state penitentiary in Sioux Falls have led to the firing of the Warden and Deputy Warden and suspensions of other Department of Corrections officials.
Eric Olilla, Executive Director of the South Dakota State Employees Organization, says the pressure has been building on those workers for a while.
“To me, it’s a culmination of career employees being undercompensated,” observes Olilla. “We all know the appointees get paid. It’s the career employees that we’re worried about. They are undercompensated. And this year they had a significant health insurance cost increase. I think they have reached a tipping point.”
Olilla says there needs to be a complete review of work conditions in the Department of Corrections.
“There needs to be a good look at compensation and benefits. And a realization and recognition of the importance of all state employees,” says Olilla. “In the budget process they should be thought of first. Then we can start new building projects and other endeavors. We need to start taking care of our core.”
Olilla says many of the complaints are unique to Corrections employees.
“These kinds of complaints aren’t common across the various departments in the state,” he observes. “But it seems to me the corrections department has reached a boiling point.”
Governor Kristi Noem ordered the changes and sent in other cabinet secretary’s to oversee the continuing review of management at the prison
