More inmates denied early release as more parolees return through crackdown

The number of people granted discretionary parole by the South Dakota Board of Pardons and Paroles has fallen by 17% over the last two years, according to data shared at a board meeting Wednesday.

News of the long-term trend came alongside a more recent spike in returns to prison for those already on parole. It also comes on the heels of efforts by legislators to tighten laws on early release, and by law enforcement to capture more people actively avoiding their parole agents.

Gov. Larry Rhoden initiated a Department of Corrections-led crackdown on parole violations in response to the late April shooting of a police officer in Sioux Falls. A man on parole supervision is charged in that case.

Rhoden promised more and faster returns to prison for parolees accused of misbehavior like drug or alcohol use, as well as for arrests on certain new criminal charges — regardless of whether the person on parole has been found guilty.

Rhoden also announced that the state would hire more parole agents to backfill the positions of five experienced agents who’d make up an “enhanced compliance unit” designed to offer intensive supervision to the parolees most in need of it and check in with parolees on nights and weekends.

Last month, parole board staff screened 176 people for potential parole revocation. That’s a slight drop from May, but still represents a notable increase over the number of revocations in the months before Rhoden’s announcement.

Rhoden initially announced the state’s intention to reform parole in early April. The announcement of the new parole unit and declaration that drug use would result in a certain return to prison came at the end of that month.

South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden began pushing for changes to parole supervision practices in April, bringing more people on parole back into state custody.

You can read the full article at South Dakota Searchlight.