DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES VISITATION 

DSS visitation may be conducted by a contact visit, Zoom or video visitation. 
DSS visitation within the secure perimeter is allowed for those visitors who are part of the Criminal Justice System.

DSS Contact Visits 

  • DSS contact visitation is Monday through Friday from 6:00-7:00 p.m. 
  • Visits must be scheduled 24 hours in advance by calling the front desk.
  • Upon arrival, DSS staff is required to provide a Government issued photo ID and proof of employment with DSS when checking in with the front desk/control room.
  • Items prohibited on the secure side of the facility include, but are not limited to: weapons, cellphones, purses/diaper bags, tobacco products, lighters, matches, pagers and other electronic devices.
  • A digital camera is available for use. Staff will need to provide their own memory card.

DSS Zoom Visits 

  • Visits must be scheduled 24 hours in advance by calling the front desk.
  • Visits will occur based on availability of the interview room.
  • Visits are not allowed during court preparation, meal times, lockdown times or emergency situations within the facility.

DSS Video Visits

  • DSS staff may utilize the video visitation system to conduct visits. 

CLERGY VISITATION (PUBLIC SIDE) 

Clergy who are not part of the Religious Advisory Committee or jail programming may visit inmates from the public side by using the video visitation monitors. 

Scheduling in advance is recommended to ensure availability. You may do so by calling 605-394-6116. 

Clergy must check in with the front desk staff upon arrival and provide a Government photo ID and documentation of religious leadership or their certificate of ordination.

RELIGIOUS ADVISORY COMMITTEE VISITATION

Members are ordained and/or recognized religious leaders representing each historical religious groups. 

Members are allowed access to all parts of the Jail to provide religious liaison and counsel to the inmates. 

  • Visiting times are based on the inmate's classification and the times are consistent with Special Management Visitation, General Population Maximum Security Visitation and General Population Visitation.
  • The visitor checks in with the front desk/control room upon arrival and is issued a Jail Clergy badge in exchange for their Government issued photo ID.
  • The visitor signs the Programs/Volunteer sign in book with their name and arrival time.
  • Visitors are responsible for complying with the prohibited items that includes, but is not limited to: weapons, purses, briefcases, tobacco products, lighters, matches, cellphones, pagers, other electronic devices and personal laptops. Lockers are available near the front desk for storage of prohibited items. 
  • Visitors will be required to pass through the metal detector without it sounding. If the visitor has articles of clothing or a medical condition that requires a brace, etc. a smaller wand will be utilized by staff for clearance.

Secure Facility Visitation 

 General Population Visitation 

  • Visits are available 7 days a week, 8:00 a.m. through 9:00 p.m., excluding 2:00-3:30, meal times, and during emergency situations within the facility.
  • Scheduling is not required.

Restrictive Housing Visitation (2nd Floor Main Jail) 

  • Visits are available Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m., excluding 11:00-12:00, 2:00-3:30, the inmate’s time out and during emergency situations within the facility.
  • After hours and weekend visits need approval from Command Staff prior to scheduling.
  • Visits must be scheduled Mon-Fri, and at minimum the business day prior to the visit.
  • Visits are scheduled at the top of each hour and limited to 1 hour in duration; requests for additional time must go through Command Staff.
  • Only 1 professional visit is authorized at a time in the interview room on the corresponding unit (2nd floor main jail). Additionally, visits through the glass (w/electronic accessibility) are available in these locations.
  • Scheduled visitation times are strictly enforced.

General Population Maximum Security Visitation (2nd Floor Main Jail)

  • Visits are available Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m., excluding 11:00-12:00, 2:00-3:30, meal times and during emergency situations within the facility.
  • After hours and weekend visits require Command Staff approval prior to scheduling.
  • Visits may be scheduled with the front desk upon arrival or by phone.
  • The visitor must provide a desired duration.
  • Only 1 professional visit is authorized at a time in the interview room on the corresponding unit (2nd floor mail jail). Additionally, visits through the glass (w/electronic accessibility) are available in these locations.

Professional Contact Options


Legal Correspondence 
Mail from a legal entity can be hand-delivered to the front desk or mailed through the Postal Service to communicate with inmates. 

Phone Calls
Attorneys may receive calls from their clients that are not recorded and free of charge. Contact Jail staff at 605-394-6116 to request this service for your phone line.

Video Visitation
Offsite (Remote) video visitation is available for professionals to visit from their office or anywhere internet service is available. Click here for more information.

Glass Partition Visitation
Onsite visitation booths with glass separation and two-way speakers are available for professional use. Personal electronic devices such as laptops and cellphones may be utilized. 

Secure Facility Visitation
Criminal Justice professionals may visit their clients on the secure side of the facility based on availability. Scheduling requirements are provided on this page.

Chirping (Texting)
Chirping/Texting is available for professionals to maintain unlimited contact with their client. This service is not encrypted. Inmates must request a device on the kiosk. Visit Inmatesales.com for more details.

Professional Visitor Guide

Pennington County Jail accommodates confidential professional visits for all inmates, while ensuring the security of the facility and the protection of staff, inmates and the public is sustained.

The following information has been compiled to answer questions and explain the rules and procedures as they affect your entry into the facility. This list is not exhaustive and it is the responsibility of every visitor to familiarize themselves with the Jail policies available on this website.

Inmate to Inmate communication through professional visitors is prohibited.

Please be aware that all persons and their belongings are subject to search by Jail staff while entering the facility.

Criteria for Admission into the Facility

Attorneys shall be permitted contact interviews without being subjected to the background screening process. All other legal assistants, law clerks, unlicensed investigators, certified law students and paralegals seeking approval for admission shall submit a Waiver To Permit Background Investigations and are additionally required to produce a letter from the office of the attorney(s) they represent indicating their employment by that firm.

The criminal background investigation takes approximately 7-10 business days to complete. All applicants must be approved prior to their entrance into the facility.

Identification

All professional visitors are required to present a Government-issued photo ID.

Additional identification required:
  • Attorneys must provide their current year State Bar card.
  • Clergy must provide documentation of religious leadership.
  • Caseworkers, investigators, and any other type of visitor will need to provide proof of their organization.

All visitors will surrender the required identification to the front desk staff during business hours and the control room after hours and on the weekends. Upon exiting the facility, the ID will be used to provide positive identification.

Items NOT allowed within the secure perimeter:

  • Weapons
  • Purses
  • Briefcases
  • Tobacco products
  • Lighters
  • Matches
  • Cell phones, smart watches, and accessories with cellular capabilities
  • Personal electronic devices
  • Personal laptops

Visitors will be required to pass through a metal detector upon entry. Lockers are available near the front desk at no cost for storage of unauthorized items.

Contraband

Contraband is considered to be anything not issued into the facility by staff; anything not allowed inside the facility by law; or any Jail issued items modified or altered for use, with the intention of using the item in a manner that was not originally intended.

Professional visitors are not allowed to leave anything other than legal material with an inmate. All items that a professional visitor wishes to exchange with the inmate must be presented to correctional staff first.

Items that are considered contraband include, but are not limited to: ink pens, markers, paperclips, any metal objects, food items or anything which Jail staff may feel jeopardizes the security of the facility.