A special legislative session in South Dakota is only about three weeks away, as lawmakers will gather in Pierre to discuss the recommendation of a task force to build a new men’s prison on undeveloped land in an industrial area of northeast Sioux Falls.

Governor Larry Rhoden was asked at the State Fair about the work of the task force, which came after plans to build a prison south of Sioux Falls in Lincoln County fell through.

“To end up with a project, an end product that I think by most, all measures probably better than the original site, at a cheaper price with the same number of beds. The legislators should take a victory lap on this and slap themselves on the back and get it done.”

The task force is recommending a 1,500 bed prison be built at a cost of no more than $650 million.

Lawmakers will give it a thumbs up or down during the special session September 23rd.