Widow of Slain Prison Guard Questions State Hiring of Felon

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — The widow of a State Penitentiary guard slain by inmates in 2011 is objecting to the hiring of a convicted felon to help mentor inmates in restrictive housing.

The state Corrections Department hired Michael Standing Soldier as a mentor for misbehaving inmates who are kept in restricted housing. He has a master's degree in social work and a Lakota heritage. Last year, 62 percent of restricted inmates were Native American.

Standing Soldier also has a felony rape conviction. Lynette Johnson, widow of slain guard Ron Johnson, tells the Argus Leader she doesn't think it's appropriate for the state to offer a job to a felon on the sex offender registry.

Corrections Secretary Denny Kaemingk says he understands the concern, but that Standing Soldier is uniquely qualified for the position.