Fears for safety at Mike Durfee State Prison

SIOUX FALLS, S.D (KELO) — Emailed statements from the South Dakota Department of Corrections have briefly described violence at Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield on July 9 and 10. According to statements from the DOC, "several" inmates fighting each other on Tuesday resulted in minor injuries to staff as well as non-life-threatening injuries to six inmates, and there was another fight "with a few inmates" on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, inmates at Mike Durfee State Prison made it clear to KELOLAND News how they feel about the Springfield facility.

Santella: Do you feel safe in there?

"No," various inmates responded.

Kristina Kopejtka, whose son is an inmate at Mike Durfee State Prison, says there are reasons they don't feel safe.

"I do believe they are short-staffed," Kopejtka said. "I do believe there needs to be better training."