inmate work program

tuck pointing

In 1995, Governor Bill Janklow had a work crew of 50 inmates transferred to Pierre to work on projects throughout the Capital Complex. One of the main focuses in that transfer was to have the inmates perform deferred maintenance on state buildings. There were a number of buildings within the Capital Complex that were in need of tuck pointing.

Tuck pointing is the process of removal deteriorating mortar from the joints of brick, block or stone structures and replacing it. The purpose is to extend the life and structural integrity of the building as well as enhancing the esthetics of the building. In the process the mortar is carefully removed to a depth of three-quarters to one-inch. The mortar is then matched for color and style and replaced. It is a lengthy, dirty project and must be done properly to have any long-term durability.

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Inmates have compiled more than 100,000 hours tuck pointing state buildings.