South Dakota Inmate Search

South Dakota Department of Corrections is the agency that oversees the state's adult prison system, parole system, and juvenile corrections. As of January 31, there were 3,805 incarcerated persons, 3,598 parolees, and 63 juvenile offenders under the supervision of the South Dakota Department of Corrections. The state of South Dakota also has 26 jails in 66 counties. The jail population in 2022 was 2,549.

Per the state's Sunshine Law, most inmate records are considered open records, meaning anyone can request access to these records. In compliance with the law, the South Dakota Department of Corrections offers several options, including an inmate search tool for accessing inmate records. An inmate search tool provides information about incarcerated persons in the state. It also reveals each offender's current location and status within the correctional system.

What is South Dakota Inmate Lookup?

The South Dakota inmate lookup process facilitates the retrieval of non-confidential records for individuals under the supervision of the Department of Corrections. Individuals seeking to locate inmates incarcerated in South Dakota may utilize the state's offender locator. Alternatively, they may contact (605) 367-5190 or (605) 367-5140 for further assistance.

Inmate lookup services improve transparency in correctional facilities. For example, a South Dakota inmate lookup lets anyone find information about an inmate, such as their name, the charges they face, and their current status. These services also show the exact location of the inmate. This information helps family and friends plan visits to the facility where their loved one is held. Such visits can provide important support to the inmate.

The South Dakota inmate lookup service also tells whether an offender has completed their sentence. By utilizing this service, individuals can better understand an offender's progress within the correctional system.

What Information Can You Find in a South Dakota Inmate Search?

Individuals who conduct inmate searches in South Dakota will find the following information:

• Inmate's full name
• Inmate's age and gender
• Physical description
• Department of Corrections number
• Custody status
• Facility of incarceration

How Are Inmate Records in South Dakota Created and Stored?

South Dakota inmate records are created by local police departments, county sheriff's offices, and correctional facilities. These records are created when a person is arrested or sentenced by a court and are updated as they progress through the justice system. When an individual is arrested, they must complete a RAP sheet given to them by the arresting officer. This document collects essential information, such as their name, address, phone number, physical description, and details about the crime.

If the individual is held in a county jail, the information from the RAP sheet is added to the sheriff's office inmate database. If the individual is sentenced to a state-run correctional facility, all relevant details, including court documents, are sent to the Department of Corrections, which updates the inmate's record accordingly.

The Department of Corrections maintains and stores all inmate records in South Dakota. They offer public access to a central database, allowing anyone to look up inmate information anytime.

What Does the South Dakota Prison System Look Like?

The South Dakota prison system has 11 correctional facilities run by the Department of Corrections. These facilities provide custody, care, and rehabilitation for individuals sentenced to state prison. Each facility has a specific security level, categorized into five levels.

Level 1 facilities house offenders known as minimum-security risks and have defined boundaries. Level 2 facilities also have boundaries and use double or single-perimeter fencing, which is regularly patrolled. Offenders in these facilities are considered to have minimum security risks.

Level 3 facilities have walls or may be equipped with two-layer fencing enhanced using razor wire. These facilities are often patrolled, and house offenders are classified as having close-security and medium-security risks. Level 4 facilities offer increased security with walls or two-layer fencing, as well as detection devices and often razor wire. They accommodate close-security offenders.

Level V facilities represent the highest level of security and house all types of offenders. They have two-layer fencing, often utilize razor wire, and depend on detection devices for maximum security. The South Dakota prison system can hold 2,775 inmates but currently has about 3,805. This means there are more inmates than available spaces. The system employs around 866 staff members.

Types of Correctional Facilities in South Dakota

The state of South Dakota has 11 state prisons. Each houses a different demographic and has specific security levels. The South Dakota Department of Corrections oversees each of these facilities, along with the reentry programs and services. The Department also has a Juvenile Division, which oversees juvenile justice and detention centers that house and educate offenders. The state has one federal prison, holding inmates who have violated federal laws. Many counties in South Dakota also have county jails to hold suspects' trials.

South Dakota State Prisons

The South Dakota Department of Corrections operates eight state correctional facilities and contracts with three local facilities to house offenders committed by the courts. Below is the list of all prison facilities in South Dakota:

• South Dakota State Penitentiary
• Jameson Annex
• Mike Durfee State Prison
• Sioux Falls Minimum Center
• Pierre Minimum Center
• South Dakota Women's Prison
• Rapid City Minimum Center
• Yankton Minimum Center
• Rapid City Correctional Facility
• Lincoln County Correctional Facility
• Hughes County Correctional Facility

South Dakota County Jails

South Dakota has 22 county jails, and these jails are operated and managed by local county Sheriff's Offices. Local jails hold pretrial detainees and inmates who have been sentenced to short-term stays for their punishment. Many of the local Sheriff's Offices have jail inmate search portals where members of the public may look up individuals incarcerated in county jail facilities. Listed below are some of the county jails in South Dakota:

• Minnehaha County Jail
• Meade County Jail
• Pennington County Jail
• Hughes County Jail
• Lawrence County Jail
• Davison County Jail
• Clay County Jail
• Codington County Jail
• Yankton County Jail
• Winner City Jail
• Mellette County Jail

South Dakota Juvenile Detention Center

The Juvenile Division of the South Dakota Department of Corrections oversees the process for offering aftercare help, case management tasks, placement, and intake for any offenders classified as juveniles who are processed by courts within the state. The Juvenile division is also responsible for watching over both the Delinquency Prevention Act and the state's Juvenile Justice program to ensure proper participation. It also cooperates with different providers within the state, and selects providers outside the state to over custody to any juvenile offenders. Individuals classified as juvenile offenders can be put into private programs, and this occurs based on the needs, medical vulnerabilities, or risks of the individual. Some juvenile placement options in South Dakota include:

• Brighter Transition Youth Treatment Center
• Minnehaha County Juvenile Center
• Pine Ridge Detention Center
• Pennington County Juvenile Services
• Western South Dakota Juvenile Services Center

Individuals interested in conducting juvenile inmate searches in South Dakota may contact each of the Juvenile Centers.

South Dakota Community Correctional Facilities

The South Dakota Department of Corrections manages all aspects of community corrections and supervision throughout the state. This includes overseeing the incarceration of offenders in the community. Before an offender is permitted to serve their sentence in a community setting or be granted parole, they must sign a comprehensive community supervision agreement with the Department of Corrections. This agreement clearly outlines the specific standard conditions that offenders must adhere to before their release into community supervision, which may include regular check-ins with a supervising officer, substance abuse testing, employment requirements, and restrictions on travel.

As of June 2024, the Department of Corrections is monitoring the progress of over 2,976 individuals under community supervision in South Dakota, which reflects the state's efforts to balance public safety with rehabilitation. This initiative aims to support offenders in successfully reintegrating into society while maintaining accountability for their actions.

Why are People Incarcerated in South Dakota?

In South Dakota, individuals can be incarcerated for various types of crimes, which are primarily divided into three categories: violent crimes, non-violent crimes, and drug-related offenses. Violent crimes include assault, child abuse, robbery, sexual assault, manslaughter, kidnapping, arson, stalking, and both first and second-degree murder. Non-violent crimes that may lead to incarceration include theft, public order violations, sex crimes, assaults, escape from custody, burglary, property damage, and possession of contraband. Additionally, drug-related offenses such as ingestion and possession of controlled substances, as well as marijuana ingestion, can also result in incarceration. Anyone interested in conducting an inmate search to find out why a person is incarcerated in a South Dakota correctional facility can use the statewide offender locator.

South Dakota's Incarceration Rate and Statistics

In 2022, South Dakota's incarceration rate stood at 370 persons per 100,000 people. This figure is higher than the national incarceration average, which was 350 persons per 100,000 the same year. This means that South Dakota locks up more percentage of its citizens than most states in America.

The table below shows South Dakota's year-end incarceration rate over a 7-year period.

Life After Incarceration in South Dakota

South Dakota has a reentry initiative model that allows offenders to transition back into society after their release. The re-entry process starts when an inmate arrives at a correctional facility. During admission, case managers and clinical staff assess each inmate using risk and screening tools. These assessments identify the inmate's needs and what programs will help them succeed after release. After the assessments, a case manager creates a personalized case plan for the inmate. This plan is updated throughout their time in prison and during supervision. It includes information about the inmate's risks and needs and helps guide the interventions and programs they should follow. Also, an accountability plan is developed and updated during transition meetings that the inmate attends. These meetings involve staff and inmates discussing any gaps in the inmate's case management or release planning. The re-entry programs in South Dakota cover various topics, including job opportunities, skill development, parenting classes, education, anger management, and substance abuse support. These programs have been successful, with only about 25% of inmates released in 2022 returning to prison for new offenses.

How Does Parole Work in South Dakota?

The South Dakota parole board reviews each inmate's progress, and when they feel a prisoner is rehabilitated and not in danger to society, they may release them early before finishing their sentence. When this happens, the inmate is given a list of stipulations they must comply with. If the inmate does not check in regularly with their parole officer or violates any of the other rules, they will return to prison to finish their sentences. As of December 2022, the South Dakota parole population stood at 3,360.

South Dakota Parole Population in 2022

How Does Someone Get Probation in South Dakota?

Probation is a supervisory program where a South Dakota judge can order probation instead of prison. This privilege is most often given to first-time or low-risk offenders. Again, these individuals do have to comply with a list of court-ordered rules. If they fail to meet with the probation officer or complete any of the other terms of their probation, it will be revoked, and they will immediately go to prison. About 5,760 individuals were on probation in South Dakota as of year-end 2022.

South Dakota Probation Population in 2022