Jul 6, 2015 - South Dakota State Penitentiary Relents, Accommodates Prisoner Pow Wows

For Immediate Release
HUY

In March, in tandem with Chase Iron Eyes and Last Real Indians, we reportedthat: “At some point in late 2014, the Penitentiary decided that prison ceremonies that have historically accommodated as many as 200 people, primarily the Native inmates’ loved ones, should be trimmed back to only 80 people.”

We are pleased to have learned that the South Dakota Penitentiary has reversed its illegal course and will now allow the pow wows to be conducted at full capacity–meaning with as many as 200 Native inmates and their loved ones from the outside. We thank those that stood with our imprisoned relatives during this challenging time, and we wish them all the best as they carry out their summer pow wow ceremonies.