Gov. Rhoden Accepts Prison Seminary Model Recommendation

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 17, 2025

Contact: Josie Harms

Gov. Rhoden Accepts Prison Seminary Model Recommendation

Additional Recommendations Under Consideration

PIERRE, S.D. - Today, Governor Larry Rhoden accepted the Correctional Rehabilitation Task Force's (CRTF) recommendation to implement the Prison Seminary Model in our correctional system. The recommendation came from the CRTF's Faith-Based subcommittee.

"Bringing this seminary program to our state will restore hope, build character, and strengthen our correctional system from the inside out," said Governor Larry Rhoden. "I'm excited that the task force is so quickly advancing recommendations, including tribal-focused rehabilitation opportunities. This work will certainly help keep our state strong, safe, and free."

The Prison Seminary Modelis a four-year, fully accredited degree program that emphasizes faith, service, and personal transformation. Students receive training in theology, core academic subjects, leadership, counseling, conflict management, and trauma support - preparing them to serve as peer ministers throughout the prison system.

"Our task force members are doing great work, and we already have recommendations from our Faith-Based and Tribal committees," said Lt. Governor Tony Venhuizen, CRTF Chairman. "I am excited about the seminary program we are recommending, as well as the tribal committee's suggestion to reengage with tribal governments about how we can partner to improve parole services."

The Prison Seminary Model is privately funded, requiring neither Department of Corrections nor inmate funding.

"I would like to thank Governor Rhoden for acting quickly and decisively to adopt the Prison Seminary recommendation from the Correctional Rehabilitation Task Force," said Senator Sue Peterson, CRTF Member and Faith-Based Subcommittee Chair. "This program is the premier program nationwide for transforming lives of individual inmates, which in turn transforms the culture within prison."

In addition, the task force made the following 11 recommendations from the Tribal Subcommittee, which are under consideration:

• Designate the Sisseton/Wahpeton Oyate parole program as a flagship model;
• Restore evening volunteer hours;
• Adopt a standardize DOC reentry checklist;
• Approve pending AVP workshops;
• Formally recognize the Unified Program Leadership Council;
• Reduce the five-year volunteer contact ban;
• Establish quarterly volunteer roundtables;
• Prioritize M-2 program revitalization;
• Pilot a Tribal Cultural Liaison role (6 months);
• Ensure ID issuance before release; and
• Create a rapid MOU template for tribal supervision.

All four subcommittees continue to meet, and they will provide additional recommendations in the coming meetings.

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