Inmates Wrap Up Storm Assistance Missions In Highmore, Huron

PIERRE, (KCCR) — State prison inmates have completed their assistance to Highmore and Huron following severe wind events in late June and early July. A total of 25 minimum-security female offenders from the Pierre Minimum Center and Department of Corrections staff were deployed June 29th to Highmore after 130 miles an hours winds ripped through Hughes, Hyde and Hand Counties. The work crews spent eight days working to help with clean up in and around Highmore. Just days later on July 3rd, storms with 100 mile an hour winds tore through Huron doing extensive damage to the South Dakota State Fairgrounds. A round of 15 inmates and four staff from Sioux Falls assisted followed by a second deployment of 25 minimum-security offenders and three staff to just work the Fairgrounds. From July 6th to the 17th inmate assistance increased to 24 to 30 inmates with three to five staff. Inmate operations included debris removal and transport, tree and street clearing. Inmates provided over 27-hours of labor during the clean-up operations.