vBEHIND
BARS continued from page 18
Preparing For The Outside
A high percentage of MDSP inmates struggle with alcohol and
chemical dependency, which in turn has led to other crimes, Dooley
said. The prison assesses their treatment needs.
MDSP serves as a transition, with prisoners preparing to leave the
system and enter the outside world. The facility offers job and skill
training, along with everyday skills such as balancing a checkbook.
MDSP offers literacy, adult basic education and GED classes. In
addition, the prison offers vocation classes such as welding, machine
tool, auto body, horticulture and auto mechanics.
The Governor’s House construction program has become one of the
best known — and somewhat controversial — vocational programs at
the Springfield prison. However, Dooley notes the homes made at the
prison aren’t usually profitable or produced by the private sector. In
addition, inmates learn or polish skills while providing safe, affordable
housing to South Dakota residents, he said.
At the prison, the construction technology inmates build wood
cabins for South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks. Other projects include
boat docks, fishing docks, and kitchen and bathroom cabinets.
Because most MDSP inmates will be released back into society, it’s
important they remain in contact with family and friends, Dooley said.
“They can maintain a relationship with their children and other family
members, and the inmates can talk out personal issues that may arise,”
he said.
Many family members may not have transportation or means to
make frequent trips to Springfield for visits, the warden said. In those
cases, technology such as Skype has kept inmates in touch with others.
MDSP staff members monitor in-person visits and other
communication, Dooley said.
In addition, inmates are offered religious and cultural programs
covering a wide range of faiths and backgrounds, the warden said.
“We have fantastic volunteers, and 100 percent of their hours are
donated,” he said.
The programs cover not only Christian denominations but also
Native American, Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, Wiccan and other beliefs.
“Here at the prison, we have the Lakota Council of Tribes for the
Native Americans,” the warden said. “We have a sweat lodge, and we
do allow botanical sage, but they can’t have any hallucinogenic drugs.”
While such programs have received criticism, Dooley defends them
as part of treating inmates as persons while preparing them for their
release back into society.
“Most of these inmates, someday they’re going to live down the street
(from some of us),” he said. “We want them to be productive citizens
when they’re released.”
DOC Secretary Dennis Kaemingk generally participates in a weekly
meeting with Dooley, Warden Darin Young from the Sioux Falls
penitentiary and Warden Brent Fluke of the women’s prison in Pierre.
“We talk about issues and keep the secretary informed of what’s
going on,” Dooley said. “Secretary Kaemingk is willing to listen to new
ideas on the rules and how they are implemented. He’s willing to look
outside the box at how we can do things better.”
The DOC wants to improve conditions for all parties wherever
possible, Dooley said.
“We’re always looking for ways to improve safety for the public, staff
and inmates,” he said. “We work with rehabilitation to reduce the
inmates’ recidivism, or return to prison.”
On a number of occasions, Dooley runs into former inmates while in
public.
“Some inmates ask how I’m doing,” he said. “Others turn and walk
the other way.”
When not working, Dooley enjoys spending time with his family.
“I’m looking to retire in the not-too-distant future,” he said.
In many ways, Dooley said he wouldn’t have imagined what direction
his career has taken.
“If you had told me 34 years ago that I would be a warden, I wouldn’t
have believed it,” he said, smiling and shaking his head.
vBy Randy Dockendorf
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