South Dakota inmate search

Across the state, state law governs local detention. As an example, Minnehaha County Jail operates under the county sheriff's direction. After an officer makes an arrest, a local jail receives that person. At the jail, they go through booking steps while awaiting court.

State prisons and county jails hold different groups. The sheriff keeps people just after arrest and those with court dates coming up. State custody is where someone goes if a court later gives them a prison sentence for a felony. If you know the arrest county, you can call the correct agency.

To find someone in local custody, look at the roster posted by the county or phone the jail directly. Because places such as Minnehaha County Jail operate under the sheriff, every county keeps its own files. For an arrest from the last few hours, a web search alone isn't enough. New bookings can take time to appear online, so phone the jail itself.

You can also use the South Dakota SAVIN offender search site or South Dakota VINELink. Either service can help you find someone being held. You can also call 1-866-277-7477 at any hour for help with your search.

State prisons are run by the South Dakota Department of Corrections, also called SD DOC. Its records can be searched with the SD DOC adult offender lookup page. This database gives public information about felony offenders given a Department of Corrections sentence. Included are South Dakota offenders now in prison.

Recent local arrests fall outside a state prison search. An arrest last night means your person won't show up in the SD DOC locator. People awaiting court stay in county jails, and the state database adds names only once a felony sentence is imposed.

Using the state SAVIN offender search portal, South Dakota VINELink lets you check custody status and receive alerts. On the site, you can search for an offender who's being held. Free alerts can also tell you when their status changes if you sign up.

If you want help from a live person, call 1-866-277-7477. The Appriss Customer First Center operates this free support line, available 24 hours each day, 7 days each week, and 365 days each year. Staff can help you find an offender, sign up for notifications, or see custody information.

Most defendants must be released by the court on an unsecured appearance bond or personal recognizance, unless they pose a flight or danger risk. This comes from South Dakota Codified Law 23A-43, with section 23A-43-2 included. With personal recognizance, no money is paid upfront; you simply promise to return to court. With an unsecured appearance bond, a fee is owed only if the person misses their court date.

Courts also have release choices such as:

• Release conditions
• Cash deposit
• Property an individual pledges as security
• Surety bail arranged by a bail bondsperson

Surety bail relies on a bail bond, a financial guarantee made to the court. The premium you pay for this bond is the fee a bail bondsperson receives. Section 58-22-30 of South Dakota Codified Law 58-22 permits premiums, and licensing all bail bondspersons and runners falls to the state director.