PIERRE, S.D. ( South Dakota News Watch ) - A new scientific poll co-sponsored by South Dakota News Watch finds that a majority of registered voters approve of the construction of a new prison.

Through the years-long debate over whether and where to build a new prison, opponents and supporters generally agreed recidivism needed to be addressed. With the new prison authorized, new disagreements over prison programs come to the forefront.

According to the poll, which was co-sponsored by the Chiesman Center for Democracy, 68% of registered South Dakota voters surveyed said they approve of the new prison, and 20% said they disapprove of the project. Another 12% were unsure.

The poll also found that a majority of voters of both parties and Independents support the project. Among Democrats,

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