South Dakota State Departament Of Corrections Inmate Search

The average incarceration rate in South Dakota is 824 inmates per 10,000 people. These individuals are confined in correctional facilities ranging from jails, prisons, juvenile justice centers, and immigration detention facilities. At least 25,000 individuals are booked yearly for various offenses ranging from petty crimes to domestic violence and other crimes.  

The number of individuals impacted by South Dakota’s correctional facilities changes relatively quickly because individuals cycle through the jail system differently, with some serving short sentences and others longer sentences.

Locating an Inmate in South Dakota

Locating an inmate in South Dakota is quick if you follow appropriate procedures and guidance. Inmates are held in county jails, state prisons, or FPC Yankton federal prison camps. The following section offers insights into the different ways that you can use to search for an inmate in South Dakota.  

• Searching For An Inmate in South Dakota State Prison 

The South Dakota Department Of Corrections has an active platform on its official website that you can use to access information for inmates incarcerated in state prisons. The website’s search criteria allow you to enter the inmate’s details, including their last, first name, and DOC number, before searching.  

The search results display an inmate’s race, gender, age, eye and hair color, weight, height, alias or nickname, current correction facility, offenses, and case status. You can also reach the department of corrections directly at (605)367-5190 or (605)367-5140 and request an inmate’s information. The inmate in DOC website doesn’t include records for juvenile offenders and individuals incarcerated in county jails.  

• Searching For An Inmate In South Dakota Municipal & County Jails 

Information for inmates incarcerated in South Dakota county jails is available at the county sheriff’s official website. However, it’s worth noting that records for county jails may lack accuracy because they change quickly. Some counties don’t have an online list of inmates. Find the specific county of your search and reach the county sheriff’s office for more information about an inmate.  

• Inmate Search For Federal Prison 

FPC Yankton is the only federal prison facility in South Dakota. Visit the Federal Bureau Prison website to search for an inmate by name. You can refine your search by providing more inmate information, including their nickname, race, age, and sex. You can also use this method.  

South Dakota Jail System 

The South Dakota jail system consists of 26 county jails and nine state facilities across 66 counties. The South Dakota Department of Corrections (SDDOC) is responsible for managing and running South Dakota’s adult prison, parole system, and juvenile corrections system. The juvenile corrections system consists of minor offenders committed to the Department of Corrections and placed in aftercare.  

South Dakota also has one federal prison that holds about 362 male inmates. The Federal Bureau of Prisons manages the federal prison in South Dakota. The state’s incarceration rate of 824 per 100,000 people is among the highest in the United States.  

Statistics show that the state correctional facilities hold about 3407 inmates. There were 1718 white inmates, 263 African Americans, and 1,219 Native Americans in South Dakota’s state correctional facilities as of June 2022.   

Contacting An Inmate In South Dakota 

South Dakota inmates have phone access for specific hours during the day, and the facilities permit inmates to call family members and friends on the approved list. The facilities monitor and record all phone calls. Find more information about contacting an inmate in South Dakota prison here.   

Visiting An Inmate In South Dakota 

The department of corrections acknowledges that visiting an inmate is a crucial part of the rehabilitation process and allows family members and friends to visit an incarcerated loved one. However, your name must be on the approved list that an inmate submits during orientation. You must fill out an application form and wait for approval before visiting an inmate.  

Find more information about South Dakota inmate visits in this guideline.  

Sending Inmate Money  

DOC creates sub-accounts for inmates that have signed the admission form allowing eligible persons to send inmates money. You can send funds to an inmate only if your name is on the list of approved visitors, an attorney, or the facility’s warden has a green light.  

You can use sending options, including mailing money orders, electronic transfers, or depositing through funds kiosks or institutions. Some correctional facilities offer online deposit options through JailATM.