OUR VIEW: Death sad, but higher pay debate grows stale

Talk about it

The state Legislature’s Executive Board heard sad testimony from the widow of a slain prison guard earlier this week. Lynette Johnson spoke to the board after hearing state prison officials say staff morale at the South Dakota Penitentiary is high and that the state has completed security improvements after the April 12 death of Johnson’s husband, a prison guard.

Ronald Johnson died when two prisoners attempted to escape. According to the state, the prisoners attacked Johnson in a work area, then stole the guard’s clothing as part of a ruse to walk through a protected gate. The two prisoners face murder charges.

Lynette Johnson said the safety of the staff is in jeopardy because the state keeps the penitentiary understaffed through inadequate funding.

We acknowledge that Mrs. Johnson presents a tragic case. The state no doubt is smarting over her husband’s death.

Yet we also commend the state for apparent improvements to its security system at the prison. According to an Associated Press report earlier this week, prison officials have added officers to three areas of the prison, are installing additional security cameras and plan to further restrict prisoner movement. The state also strengthened fencing, improved lighting and now requires staff to carry so-called “panic buttons” on their person.

Mrs. Johnson doesn’t agree that’s enough. Neither does Russ Freeburg, the father of another guard involved in the April incident. He said prison guards in our state are paid below the national average, which contributes to staff turnover and therefore presents safety concerns.

Again, these are compelling arguments. And these comments come in the wake of a very difficult time, not only for the Johnson and Freeburg families, but for everyone with even a passing interest in the attempted escape.

Someone died, and that’s cause enough for an analysis of systems and procedures. Obviously, changes needed to be made.

The state was right to make the changes it did, but we don’t feel the argument about pay is fair. Most South Dakotans are paid below the national average; after awhile, that argument grows stale.

Prison guards — like other law-enforcement officers or members of the National Guard — should understand the risks involved in their dangerous jobs. While we very much appreciate these public protectors, we also are hesitant to demand higher pay, even after the terrible tragedy April 12 at the state prison.

Tags: opinion, editorial, crime, prison, state