Are South Dakota Inmate Records Public Information?
Yes. Under South Dakota Sunshine Law, public records include all documents and records generated and maintained by state departments and agencies, including inmate records. However, pursuant to South Dakota Codified laws §1-27-1.5(26), records regarding an inmate’s disciplinary matters are not open for inspection and copying. Furthermore, an inmate’s health records are also not publicly accessible. These records can only be disclosed to eligible persons and for eligible reasons.
For instance, the Warden or Secretary of Corrections may authorize the disclosure of protected health records of an inmate who escapes from custody. This is typically done if disclosure of such information can aid in the inmate's apprehension. Information on reasons that can warrant the disclosure of an inmate-protected health record can be found in the South Dakota Department of Corrections “inmate medical records” publication.
South Dakota Inmate Search
Inmate records are official documents containing information relating to persons held in any correctional facility in South Dakota. These documents are open for public inspection per the South Dakota Sunshine Law. Persons who obtain inmate records can expect to see information such as the inmate's full name, birth date, physical description, and mugshot. Inmate records also contain a description of the charges, sentencing information, maximum release date, and the inmate's status.
Inmate records are considered public in the United States and, therefore, are made available by both traditional governmental agencies as well as third-party websites and organizations. Third-party websites may offer an easier search, as these services do not face geographical limitations. However, because third-party sites are not government-sponsored, the information obtained through them may vary from official channels. To find inmate records using third-party aggregate sites, requesting parties must provide:
- The location of the sought-after record, including state, county, and city where the inmate resides.
- The name of the person listed in the record, unless it is a juvenile.
Different law enforcement agencies and detention facilities in South Dakota generate South Dakota inmate records. These records contain a wealth of information that can be used to determine who’s in custody, find someone in jail, and their release date, amongst other information. Although inmate records in South Dakota typically include an inmate's physical description, mugshots go one step further by revealing the person's face. South Dakota Inmate Mugshots, to put it simply, are images of inmates that aid in correctly identifying them.
How to Find Someone in Jail in South Dakota
Individuals who want to find someone in jail in South Dakota first need to determine which county, city, or town in the state the subject was taken into custody. Determining this information would make it easy to find out what jail someone is in. Most county sheriff's offices maintain an online database of incarcerated individuals who are in custody at their county jail. Some examples of these databases include the Minnehaha County jail info portal and Pennington County’s current inmate portal.
Interested persons can search for incarcerated individuals by providing their names on these portals and similar portals. These portals provide information about different individuals who are in custody. Some of these include an inmate's name, file ID, intake time, intake date, custody status, and charges. Hence, these portals can also serve as valuable tools for those who want to know how to find out why someone is in jail.
Alternatively, interested persons can also call a county sheriff’s office to inquire about how to find someone in jail and find out why someone is in jail.
How to Perform a South Dakota Jail Inmate Search
Individuals who need to know how to find out if someone is in jail may search specific county websites. Counties such as Clay County provide online access to a list of their current inmates. Researchers may perform an inmate search in South Dakota by visiting the Sheriff's official website and clicking on the current inmate section, which drops down by clicking on "Jail". For example, the "Who's behind bars" section of the Minnehaha Sheriff's Office is also accessible under the jail section of the Sheriff's Office official page. Researchers may also find a person in jail by contacting the county jail or the Sheriff's office.
How to Get Approved to Visit an Inmate in South Dakota Prisons and Jails
A person can visit an inmate if the DOC has approved them on the inmate's visiting list. To be added to an inmate's visiting list, the individual must complete the required visitation form by downloading it on the official web page of the South Dakota Department of Corrections, calling the facility to request it, or having it sent to them by the inmate. Then, the prospective visitor may send the completed list directly to the institution where the inmate is serving time. Likewise, the inmate must also have completed a visit list verification form.
There are two types of visits permitted by the DOC, a Class I and Class II visit.
- Class I visit takes place in a designated area in an adult facility; limited physical contact is permitted between the inmates and the visitor.
- Class II visit takes place with the inmates separated from the inmates in a glassed-off designated visiting area. No physical contact is permitted.
South Dakota DOC has an inmate visitation policy detailing instructions on dress code, ID requirements, and conduct during visitations to the correctional facility. Generally, inmate visitations are scheduled in advance, and all visitors must present a valid government-issued photo ID at the prison entrance. Acceptable forms of identification include driver's license, passport, Department of Justice Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued ID, military ID, or state-issued ID.
Original or certified birth certificates of children younger than 16, a social security card, a court order confirming paternity, or a certificate of adoption may be required if the minor does not have an acceptable form of identification. Children under the age of 5 who have yet to obtain a birth certificate or social security card may be exempted.
How to Send Money to Inmates in South Dakota Prisons
If inmates in any corrections facility under the SDDOC have signed the inmate admission form, they will be allowed to authorize the DOC to create sub-accounts. Persons eligible to send money to the inmate may deposit funds into these accounts. Generally, inmates can only receive funds from persons on the approved inmate's visiting list, their attorney, or persons approved by the facility's warden. Funds may be sent to an inmate's sub-account by:
- Mail. Money orders, US cashier's check. Business or payroll checks may be sent by mail to the inmate's mailing address and will be deposited into the inmate's institutional account. Personal checks are not accepted.
- Electronic transfers
- Funds deposit Kiosks at the institution
Online deposits through JailATM may be available in some correctional institutions under the SDDOC; it is advisable to contact the particular institution for inquiries.
How to Find a County Inmate Roster in South Dakota
Interested persons can find a county’s inmate roster in South Dakota by visiting the county’s sheriff’s office website. In most cases, the county inmate roster is not specifically called an “inmate roster”. It may be labeled a variety of names, including inmate listing, jail inmate list, current inmate, and more. For instance, interested persons can find the Barnes County inmate roster by visiting the county website and navigating to the county Department Corrections facility page. On this page, there is a button labeled “inmate listing,” which provides the Barnes County jail inmate roster. Other South Dakota County inmate rosters include the Lincoln County inmate roster and the Yankton county inmate roster.
How to Perform a South Dakota Prison Inmate Search
Anyone interested in conducting a South Dakota prison inmate search may query the state Department of Corrections search tool for a free inmate search by name. The South Dakota DOC provides an online inmate search service for locating both current and past offenders.
To perform an inmate lookup, interested persons must provide the inmate's full name or DOC number. A typical search will return information such as the inmate's non-confidential biodata, sentence date, correctional status, conviction, sentence length, and the facility of incarceration.
South Dakota State Prisons and County Jails: Understanding the Difference
South Dakota state prisons and county jails are operated by the South Dakota Department of Corrections. The department is responsible for the custody and supervision of offenders sentenced to prison or jail, as well as those on probation or parole.
The department offers a variety of programs and services designed to rehabilitate offenders and reduce recidivism. These include educational opportunities, substance abuse treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, and work release programs.
South Dakota has four state prisons: the South Dakota State Penitentiary, the Jameson Annex, the Mike Durfee State Prison, and the Women's Prison. The South Dakota Department of Corrections also operates a juvenile justice system, which includes a youth challenge program and a juvenile detention center.
The South Dakota State Penitentiary is the oldest and largest prison in the state, housing more than 1,500 inmates. The prison offers a variety of programs and services, including education, vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and work release.
In addition to the state prisons, there are 26 county jails in South Dakota. These jails are operated by the county sheriff's office and are responsible for the custody of offenders sentenced to jail, as well as those awaiting trial.
How Do I Find Out an Inmate Release Date?
Interested persons can confirm an inmate's release date by visiting the South Dakota Department of Corrections' website. The SDDOC has an Offender Locator page that researchers may use to search inmates' status and confirm proposed release dates. Often, the publicly available release date will only show the month and year. Exact release dates are restricted from public access to protect the inmate's safety. As such, only the inmate's immediate family members, crime victims, attorneys, and authorized criminal justice officials have access to exact inmate release dates.
Facilities Operated by the South Dakota Department of Corrections
The South Dakota Department of Corrections is the agency responsible for the management and administration of correctional institutions in the state. The adult corrections system consists of four community work centers, three main adult facilities, and one prison annex. Interested persons may contact any of the facilities or use the prison lookup tool.
South Dakota State Penitentiary
Warden: Dan Sullivan 1600 North Drive
P.O. Box 5911
Sioux Falls, SD 57117
Phone: (605) 367-5051
Fax: (605) 367-5038
Jameson Annex
1600 North Drive
P.O. Box 5911
Sioux Falls, SD 57117
Phone: (605) 367-5120
Fax: (605) 367-5585
South Dakota Women's Prison
3200 East Highway 34
c/o 500 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: (605) 773-6636
Fax: (605) 773-3194
Rapid City Community Work Center 2725 Creek Drive
Rapid City, SD 57703
Phone: (605) 394-5294
Fax: (605) 394-5295
Mike Durfee State Prison
Warden: Brent Fluke 1412 Wood Street
Springfield, SD 57062
Phone: (605) 369-2201
Fax: (605) 369-2813
Yankton Community Center
178 Mickelson Drive
Yankton, SD 57078
Phone: (605) 668-3355
Fax: (605) 668-3358
