The Demand for Moral Leadership Amidst Rising Overdose Deaths in South Dakota Prisons
South Dakota’s prison system faces unprecedented challenges in 2025 as the state records eight suspected or confirmed overdose deaths, a figure surpassing previous years and outpacing neighboring states. Former inmate Paul Cooper, reflecting on his own experiences both in South Dakota’s state prisons and the federal prison in Kansas, believes that improved addiction treatment is crucial to reducing these deaths.
Cooper describes the innovative lengths inmates will go to in order to use drugs. In federal prisons, where cells lack electrical outlets, inmates have ingeniously repurposed solar-powered alarm clocks and crank-powered radios to create sparks for smoking synthetic drugs. “You’re talking about the most innovative people in the world,” Cooper said. “All you did when you gave these guys crank radios in the federal prison system was give them a rechargeable lighter.”
The South Dakota state prison system has seen a particularly challenging year. The increased number of overdoses, predominantly related to synthetic drugs like K2, underscores a growing problem not just with narcotics but with the support provided to inmates battling addiction.
Cooper, now sober and running a restaurant in Sioux Falls, actively advocates for addiction treatment over new prison construction projects. Despite the state’s recent approval of a $650 million prison construction project in Sioux Falls, Cooper argues that the focus should be on rehabilitation. “If you take away the addicts,” he said, “the dealers have no drugs to sell.”
South Dakota inmates face significant delays in receiving chemical dependency treatment. In 2025, Behavioral Health Chief Justin Elkins reported that over 700 individual offenders in Sioux Falls await substance use disorder treatment. Michael Winder, the Department of Corrections spokesman, acknowledges that the availability of treatment is “subject to available space in a program.”
Current inmate Sam Lint, who serves a life sentence at the South Dakota State Penitentiary, calls for more rehabilitation and mental health programming. Lint notes that unresolved childhood trauma often contributes to drug use among inmates. “You’ve got just a bunch of hurt guys here,” Lint said, underscoring the need for comprehensive support.
Increased prison violence has also impacted the system in 2025. With assaults on staff reaching a five-year high, there’s reduced space for disciplinary actions regarding drug use. This has contributed to a challenging environment where isolation exacerbates addictive behaviors. Restrictions, such as a temporary shutdown of texting and reduced call allowances, heighten inmates’ sense of isolation.
Steve Harrison
Steve Harrison, another former inmate, and Cooper highlight the importance of mentorship and moral leadership within the system. They see value in allowing long-term inmates, even those with serious convictions, to guide younger inmates. “When there are things like empathy and kindness and morality on behalf of the administration, you aren’t going to see things like this happening,” said former inmate Ryan Vanden Hoek.
The state’s approach to addressing these issues involves investing in drug detection technology and rehabilitation programming. Gov. Larry Rhoden announced plans to enhance rehabilitation efforts with $1.5 million for a diesel mechanic training program and the formation of a rehabilitation task force. The task force aims to study ways to reduce repeat offenses and improve programming.
Vanden Hoek and Cooper also run “Unconfined Conversations,” a podcast encouraging inmates and parolees to do right by themselves and educate the public on effective prison reform measures. They underscore the need for a more individualized and empathetic prison approach that prioritizes rehabilitation over punishment.
South Dakota’s situation highlights the complexities of managing modern prison systems. With an eye on reform, state officials and former inmates like Cooper and Vanden Hoek continue to advocate for a balanced approach emphasizing treatment, mentorship, and comprehensive support for those incarcerated.