SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - Following Thursday’s announcement of the names and charges in the drug conspiracy investigation at the South Dakota penitentiary, more questions are being asked about an earlier no-touching rule for family visits.

After several springtime drug deaths inside the Prison, one alleged to have come from a visitor smuggling cocaine and meth, the DOC set up new rules.

In a June 20th statement, a DOC spokesperson said, “We have repeatedly stated that we would go to no-contact visits if issues persisted with the introduction of contraband.”

Secretary Wasko explained her decision in July.

“I am not going to lose these inmates because they don’t know, they don’t know the concentration or. The lethality of what they were consuming,” Wasko said.

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