How to Send Money to an Inmate in a Prison or Jail
Table of Contents
What is South Dakota Inmate Search?
South Dakota inmate search refers to the process of obtaining information about a person incarcerated in a correctional facility within the state. The South Dakota Department of Corrections (SDDOC) is responsible for managing the state's correctional system and providing the public with means to obtain information about incarcerated individuals.
Anyone seeking information about an inmate in South Dakota may use the SDDOC's offender search portal to search. This portal streamlines the search process and delivers relevant results based on the inmate's SDDOC number, name, age, and date of birth.
Are Inmate Search Records Open to the Public in South Dakota?
Yes. Per the South Dakota Sunshine Law (SDCL), inmate information is considered public record and may be accessed by the public. However, certain sensitive information, such as an inmate's Social Security number, home address, and other personal identifiers, is restricted from public access to protect individual privacy.
Additionally, access to records of juvenile inmates, individuals under protective orders, or those involved in sensitive cases may be limited to ensure their safety and privacy.
How To Perform South Dakota Inmate Lookup
The South Dakota Department of Corrections (SDDOC) maintains an online offender locator that allows users to look up inmates incarcerated within the state's correctional facilities. To search for an inmate using this tool, enter the individual's SDDOC number, last name, and first name. After entering the correct parameters, click the search bar, and the portal will provide a list of inmates with details similar to those you provided.
You will need to review this list to find the inmate of interest. To streamline the search, you may add additional details, such as the inmate's SDDOC number, sentencing, and offense information. Once the inmate is located, the tool will provide additional details about them, such as their mugshot, facility information, criminal history, and incarceration status.
How To Search for an Inmate in South Dakota
To search for an inmate in South Dakota, open the state's offender search portal and enter the inmate's SDDOC number. This search will generate a list of inmates with matching details. If the ID number is unknown, you may conduct the search using the inmate's name. However, note that providing complete and accurate details, such as the full name, date of birth, and other identifiers, will help narrow the results and make the search more efficient.
You may also conduct a South Dakota jail inmate search by directly contacting the South Dakota Department of Corrections at (605) 773-3478. Since phone inquiries are typically conducted within a short period, the inquirer may be required to provide the inmate's SDDOC number. However, if you do not know the number, you may provide their full name and date of birth instead.
How To Conduct a Free Inmate Search in South Dakota
Interested individuals can perform a free South Dakota inmate search using reputable third-party websites like RecordsFinder. These websites allow users to look up inmate records across various correctional facilities, including county, state, city, and federal prisons. While basic searches are typically free, accessing more detailed inmate records may require a small fee.
How To Find a Federal Inmate in South Dakota
Anyone may use the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) inmate locator to search for a federal inmate in South Dakota. Users can enter the inmate's full name or BOP number as the search criteria.
Yankton FPC is the only federal prison in South Dakota, and it is located on the former campus of Yankton College.
What Can You Find with State of South Dakota Inmate Search
The following information may be found in a typical South Dakota inmate search:
- Inmate's full name
- Age
- Gender
- Physical description (height, weight)
- Known aliases
- SDDOC number
- Case information
- Offense history
- Current facility of incarceration
- Correctional status (awaiting trial, convicted, on parole)
- Jail term of prisoner
- Parole office
- Projected date of release
Jail and Inmate Search in South Dakota
As of June 2024, state correctional facilities in South Dakota housed a total of 3,694 inmates, including 1,647 youths. At the time, the parole population was 3,589, with 83% of those individuals under community supervision.
In 2022, the national incarceration rate was 355 per 100,000 population, while South Dakota's rate was slightly higher, at 370 per 100,000. The state's incarcerated population was made up of 86% Whites, 9% Blacks, 4% Hispanics, and 1% from other racial groups.
Criminal Justice Quick Facts
South Dakota Imprisonment Rate * (per 100,000 population)
370
Prison Population (All facilities/State & Federal Jails)
6,600 / 1,300
Probation Population
5,760
Parole Population
3,360
Racial Disparity in Incarceration Rate
Black: White Ratio: 5:9:1
Hispanic: White Ratio: 1:5:1
Juvenile Custody Rate
99
Disenfranchised Population
12,603 (1.92%)
Disenfranchised African Americans
977 (10.78%)
Corrections Expenditures (state/local)
1,229,994 / 86,620
* South Dakota's incarceration rate encompasses data from state-operated prisons, jails, juvenile detention centers, and immigration detention facilities within the state.
South Dakota Parole Population
As of January 1, 2022, South Dakota had a parole population of 3,600. By the close of 2022, this figure had dropped to 3,360.
Paroles per 100,000 Population (2022)
Nationwide
267
South Dakota
485
Parole Total Population in South Dakota (2022)
Nationwide
698,820
South Dakota
3,360
Parole Entries and Exits (2022)
Entries
2,090
Exits
2,330
Change in 2022, in Percentage and Number
Percent
6.8
Number
250
Number on Parole per 100,000 U.S. Adult Residents
Decreased by
267
South Dakota Prisons
The South Dakota Department of Corrections manages the correctional facilities across the state. It operates on an annual budget of $85.5 million and employs 611 staff members. These staff members are responsible for managing the state's inmate population, which currently stands at 3,694.
In addition to incarcerated inmates, the South Dakota corrections system supervises 2,673 adults on parole and 6,959 individuals on probation. It spends between $30,002 and $33,656 annually to care for each inmate. The state's incarceration rate is currently 812 per 100,000 residents, the violent crime rate is 377, and the property crime rate is 1,737.
| Prison Name | Prison Type |
|---|---|
| Jameson Annex | State Prison |
| Mike Durfee State Prison | State Prison |
| Rapid City Community Work Center | State Prison |
| South Dakota State Penitentiary | State Prison |
| South Dakota Women's Prison | State Prison |
| Yankton Community Work Center | State Prison |
| Yankton FPC | Federal Prison |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is an Inmate Not Showing Up in Search?
Information about an inmate may not appear in a South Dakota inmate search for several reasons. One possibility is that the inmate is housed in a non-state facility, such as a federal prison, private institution, or another state's custody. In such cases, you may need to contact the facility directly to obtain the inmate's details.
Another reason could be that the inmate has recently been arrested or transferred, and the search portal has not yet been updated with their information. Furthermore, if incorrect identifying information was used in the search, the results may not be accurate.
If an inmate is not showing up in a search, verify that the name or SDDOC number entered is correct and check for any spelling or numerical errors. If the problem persists after confirming that the search parameter is correct, you may contact the South Dakota Department of Corrections by phone for assistance.
How Can I Check If Someone Is in Jail in South Dakota?
To find out if someone is incarcerated in a correctional facility in South Dakota, you may do any of the following:
- Use the South Dakota Department of Corrections offender search portal to find individuals incarcerated in state facilities. However, note that this portal cannot be used to locate individuals sentenced to county jails, probation, or other forms of supervision
- Contact County Sheriff's Offices to locate inmates held in county jails or visit the respective county sheriff's websites
- Use the South Dakota Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification System (SAVIN). This service allows crime victims to obtain offender information and register for notification of a change in offender status, such as offender release.
- If you suspect the individual is incarcerated in a federal facility, use the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator for the search
How Can I Conduct a South Dakota Prison Inmate Search?
To search for an inmate in South Dakota, you may visit the state's correctional facilities in person. Alternatively, use the South Dakota Department of Corrections inmate information portal to locate the inmate or make inquiries by phone. Third-party websites, such as RecordsFinder, also provide excellent options for searching for incarcerated inmates in South Dakota correctional facilities.
