South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden is ordering immediate changes to tighten parole supervision across the state. The move aims to hold repeat offenders more accountable and remove violators from communities more quickly.
The Department of Corrections is creating a new compliance unit with five specialized parole agents who will monitor the highest‑risk individuals, including nights and weekends. Five additional parole officers are also being hired to reduce caseloads.
Penalties for certain violations are increasing, especially for offenses considered higher public‑safety risks, including DUI, assault, and weapons‑related violations. Officials say enforcement has already ramped up, with parole revocations nearly doubling in the first week.
Rhoden is also asking the Board of Pardons and Parole to speed up revocation hearings and consider stronger sanctions. Corrections Secretary Nick Lamb says the effort requires coordination across agencies and builds on the state’s ongoing “Smarter Supervision Initiative.”
State leaders describe the changes as the next step in improving public safety and reducing repeat violent crime.
