Supporters of the proposal say the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls is deteriorating, creating safety concerns for prison staff and inmates. Since the Yankton prison opening, South Dakota has built six more prison facilities. In 1984, the state built the Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield. Four years later, the South Dakota Women’s Prison in Pierre and the Pierre Minimum Center were added to the state’s prison network. While the support isn't unanimous, there's enough agreement that something needs to be done about the current state penitentiary, he said.