Could Medicaid Expansion Reduce South Dakota Incarceration Rates

With the Minnehaha County Jail system bursting at the seams, innovative ways to trim that population are always welcome.

A concerted effort to reform the criminal justice system through the South Dakota Legislature has made some recent progress. Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Milstead also wants some preventative measures especially for those who suffer mental health problems.

“What we need to do is work on improving the chances of people not coming to jail in the first place, the delivery of services in our community and re-entry (into society) by making sure they are on medication. If there is Medicaid expansion in South Dakota it’s going to greatly improve the access to healthcare for these individuals.”

Milstead made a strong case that mental health problems, poverty and criminal activity are intricately linked.

“About 85 percent of the people in my custody would be eligible for Medicaid and could get their medication if they’ve got mental health issues. They could afford the treatment that they need and show up for their appointments if they don’t have to work for three days to earn enough to pay for that appointment.”

Mostly the cost savings through Medicaid expansion are attributed to the hospital side, but Milstead believes that the criminal justice system would also see the benefits. More evidence of the need to tweak the system came in the form of proposed legislation designed to reduce the time that inmates wait for competency exams.

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