CUSTER, South Dakota – State prison offenders and staff from the Department of Corrections are providing labor to clear extensive damage in Custer State Park following a powerful windstorm that impacted the region last week.

Secretary of Corrections Nick Lamb authorized the deployment of crews to assist with the removal of fallen trees and debris throughout the park. The first group, consisting of 15 minimum-custody offenders and four staff members from the Rapid City Minimum Center, arrived in the park on Dec. 20.

I witnessed the damage first-hand on Saturday, and it is extensive, Lamb said. “Our crews have a big job ahead of them, but they are willing and able to assist and give back to society.”

The cleanup effort continued Monday as a second crew of 11 offenders and four staff members from the Rapid City facility returned to the park. Officials with the Department of Corrections stated that additional disaster crews may be deployed if necessary to complete the recovery work.