South Dakota State Penitentiary
Find messaging, video, and phone options for South Dakota State Penitentiary. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- State Facility
- Security Level
- Maximum
- Inmate Capacity
- 1,700 approx.
- Established
- 1881
- Operated By
- South Dakota Department of Corrections (SDDOC)
South Dakota State Penitentiary Inmate Communication Overview
South Dakota State Penitentiary is the primary maximum-security state prison in South Dakota, operated by the South Dakota Department of Corrections and located in Sioux Falls in Minnehaha County, South Dakota's largest city. Established in 1881, the facility houses adult male inmates at maximum, close, and medium security classifications and serves as the central maximum-security institution in the South Dakota correctional system. The penitentiary's brick and stone walls are a prominent feature in Sioux Falls, located in the eastern part of the city near the railroad corridor. Sioux Falls is the state's largest city by a wide margin and serves as its economic hub.
Communication at South Dakota State Penitentiary follows South Dakota DOC provider contracts. JPay handles electronic messaging, photo sharing, and money transfers. Families create a JPay account and add the inmate using their South Dakota DOC number to begin correspondence. GTL manages phone calls and video visitation under the SDDOC statewide contract. The two-platform model applies: JPay for messaging and money, GTL for phone and video. Each requires a separate account, and funds on one platform cannot be used on the other.
Sioux Falls is in the far southeastern corner of South Dakota, about 85 miles north of Sioux City, Iowa, and about 250 miles southeast of Rapid City. For families in the Sioux Falls metro area, in-person visits to the penitentiary are straightforward. For families in the western part of the state, Rapid City, Deadwood, or the Pine Ridge area, the drive across the state is several hours. JPay messaging and GTL video visits are practical for families who cannot make the cross-state trip. South Dakota DOC accounts carry over to any other South Dakota facility if an inmate transfers within the state system.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
1600 N. Drive, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Main Phone
(605) 367-5100
Administrative line — not for inmate calls
Official Website
Visit official siteVisit and Contact Details
Inmate search, mail, visiting hours, costs, commissary, and bail information for this facility.
Inmate Search
Search inmates on the official roster
Check the spelling of the name carefully, and allow 24 to 72 hours for new arrivals to appear in the roster.
Visiting Hours
Visits must be pre-scheduled and visitors must be on the offender's approved visit list. Visit List Verification forms can take up to 15 business days to process, so apply well before planning a trip.
Communication Options
Available communication services at South Dakota State Penitentiary.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: JPay
Full JPay messaging available. Requires South Dakota DOC number.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: GTL
Remote video visits available. Schedule in advance through GTL.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Provider: JPay
Digital photos via JPay. Subject to SDDOC content guidelines.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: GTL
Inmate-initiated calls via GTL. Fund AdvancePay account to receive calls.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: JPay
Trust account deposits via JPay for commissary and personal purchases.
Communication Providers at South Dakota State Penitentiary
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
JPay
Electronic messaging, photo sharing, and trust account deposits. Uses South Dakota DOC number.
View JPay ServicesGTL
Phone calls and video visitation under the SDDOC statewide contract.
View GTL ServicesCommunication Rules at South Dakota State Penitentiary
- JPay and GTL are separate platforms. Messaging stamps and phone funds are not interchangeable.
- Messages are reviewed by SDDOC staff before delivery.
- SDDOC system-wide accounts carry over if the inmate transfers to another South Dakota facility.
- Video visits must be scheduled in advance through GTL.
- Senders must be on the inmate's approved contact list.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions: South Dakota State Penitentiary
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I message someone at South Dakota State Penitentiary?
- Create a JPay account at jpay.com and add the inmate using their South Dakota DOC number. Purchase stamps and compose your message. SDDOC staff review messages before delivery, typically within 24 to 48 hours.
- How do I set up phone calls from South Dakota State Penitentiary?
- Phone calls use GTL. Create an account at telmate.com or through the GTL Connect app. Set up a prepaid AdvancePay account linked to your phone number and add funds. The inmate calls you from facility phones.
- How far is the penitentiary from Rapid City?
- South Dakota State Penitentiary is in Sioux Falls, roughly 350 miles east of Rapid City, about a four to five-hour drive across the state. For western South Dakota families, GTL video visits and JPay messaging are the most practical options for regular contact.
- Is video visitation available at South Dakota State Penitentiary?
- Yes, through GTL. Log into your GTL account, search for South Dakota State Penitentiary, and schedule an available slot in advance. This is especially useful for families in Rapid City or western South Dakota who cannot make the cross-state drive.
- How do I send money to a South Dakota State Penitentiary inmate?
- Trust account deposits are made through JPay. Log in, go to Send Money, and select South Dakota State Penitentiary. Add funds via debit or credit card. Processing typically takes one to two business days.
- How do I address mail to someone at South Dakota State Penitentiary?
- Use the inmate's full name and DOC number, followed by South Dakota State Penitentiary, 1600 N. Drive, Sioux Falls, SD 57104. Include a complete return address. All mail is inspected before delivery.
- Can I call an inmate at South Dakota State Penitentiary directly?
- No. Inmates cannot receive incoming calls. They place outgoing calls to approved numbers through GTL, so fund a GTL AdvancePay account and confirm your number is on the approved call list.
- Why did calls from South Dakota State Penitentiary stop coming through?
- Calls usually stop when the GTL balance runs out, the number leaves the approved call list, or phone privileges change. Check the GTL balance first, then confirm with the inmate that your number is still approved.
- Why is my JPay message to South Dakota State Penitentiary still pending?
- Messages are reviewed before delivery and can take a day or two to appear. If a message stays pending longer, confirm the DOC number is correct and that you are on the inmate's approved contact list.
- How do I schedule a Class 3 video visit with someone at South Dakota State Penitentiary?
- Class 3 video visits are scheduled through the GTL VisitMe site once your visitor application is approved. Register online, link your account to the approved offender, and select an available time slot.
Troubleshooting at South Dakota State Penitentiary
Fix the most common problems families hit with calls, video visits, money, and messaging.
- Why am I not receiving calls from an inmate?
- Inmates can only call out, so you cannot call an inmate directly. If expected calls are not coming through, check your phone's spam or silence-unknown-callers setting, since carriers often block jail numbers. Save the facility's number as a contact, confirm your number is on the inmate's approved list, and check whether your carrier blocks collect or prepaid calls. If several expected calls fail, contact the facility's phone provider support.
- Why is my inmate not showing up in search?
- New arrivals can take 24 to 72 hours to appear in search results, and people in transfer may temporarily disappear from listings. Try alternate spellings and name variations, and make sure you are searching the right system: the federal BOP locator only covers federal inmates, while county and state searches are separate. Some records are withheld for protective custody or sealed cases. If it has been more than a few days, call the facility's records office.
- I sent money but it is not showing in the inmate's account. What should I do?
- Allow processing time first. Electronic deposits can take hours and money orders can take much longer. Check your receipt and confirm the inmate's name and ID matched. Do not send a second payment until the first one is traced, since duplicate payments are hard to reverse. Contact the money-transfer provider's support with your receipt or confirmation number. If the inmate was recently transferred, funds may follow after a delay.
- Why was my video visit cancelled or cut off?
- Most cancellations come from connection problems or conduct-rule violations. Stay in frame, keep your ID ready, follow the dress code, keep other people off camera, and avoid profanity. Visits can also be cancelled for facility lockdowns or schedule changes. For refunds, contact the video provider's support with your visit details.
- What should I do if the facility changed its communications provider?
- Create an account with the new provider, since old accounts and balances do not transfer automatically. Ask the old provider whether refunds are available for unused balances. Confirm the new provider's phone, video, and messaging setup before your next visit or call.
- Why is my JPay account blocked?
- A blocked account usually means the inmate blocked contact, the account details do not match, or JPay flagged the account for review. Confirm the inmate's ID and facility, check for an 'inmate blocked' message, and contact JPay support if the block looks like an error. See our guide: JPay account locked
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