- Contacting a Detainee
- Legal & Case Information
- Hours of Visitation
- Sending Items to Detainees
- Press & Media
- FOIA
- Feedback or Complaints
If you need information about a detainee that is housed at this facility, you may call (605) 394-6116, 24 hours a day. When you call, please have the individual’s biographical information ready, including first, last and hyphenated names, any aliases he or she may use, date of birth and country of birth.
Detainees cannot receive incoming calls. If you need to get in touch with a detainee to leave an urgent message, you must call (605) 394-6116 and leave the detainee’s full name, alien registration number and your name and telephone number where you can be reached. The detainee will be given your message.
AdvanceConnect™ is a prepaid calling account that puts you in control, allowing you to manage how much you spend on inmate calling.
Rates:
- International - Varies by country - call Customer Service
- Interstate - 0.21/per minute
- Intrastate - 0.28/per minute
- Local - 0.28/per minute
Direct Bill allows you to receive calls from inmates and have the call charges billed directly to you monthly. This account is best suited for attorneys, bail bondsmen, and friends & family of long-stay inmates. A credit check is required to qualify.
Rates:
- Interstate - 0.25/per minute
- Intrastate - 0.28/per minute
- Local - 0.28/per minute
You can add funds to this inmate-owned calling account that lets inmates pay for their own calls. Search for inmates and add funds today!
Rates:
- International - Varies by country - call Customer Service
- Interstate - 0.21/per minute
- Intrastate - 0.28/per minute
- Local - 0.28/per minute
Securus Telephone Service Customer Service 1-800-844-6591
E-mail can be sent to inmates for $0.50 per message through jailatm.com. You must establish an account with jailatm.com and have a valid credit card on file to send or receive messages from inmates. E-mail can be purchased in advance at a minimum of $5.00.
This facility has kiosk machines for sending messages to inmates. You can access information on how to send a non-confidential message at: jailatm.com.
Immigration Court
For information about a matter before the immigration court, you may call 1-800-898-7180 to speak with them directly. Applications for relief from removal and other applications requested by the immigration judge must be filed directly with the immigration court.
Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)
For information about a matter before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), you may call (703) 605-1007 where you can obtain automated information or speak with a live representative during office hours.
Click the link for a list of pro bono representatives nationwide who might be able to assist you.
To Post a Delivery Bond
Delivery bonds are posted when a person has been taken into ICE custody and placed into removal proceedings while in the United States. The person posting the bond must show proof of identity (valid Government-issued photo identification, passport, military ID, LPR card, driver’s license, etc.). This person (the obligor) is responsible for ensuring that the alien presents them self before an officer or representative of this agency whenever a request is made.
Bonds for aliens detained by ICE may be posted at ICE ERO bond acceptance offices nationwide, Monday through Friday (except public holidays) between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., local time. For a list of ICE ERO bond acceptance offices nearest you or for bond information, click here. You must have the last name of the detainee and alien registration number before calling. Acceptable forms of payment to post a bond are money orders, cashier’s checks or certified checks. For all bonds $10,000 and over, the only accepted method of payment is a single cashier or certified check. Payments must be made payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” or “Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”
Sending Non-Confidential Messages to Detained Noncitizens
This facility has kiosk machines for sending messages to inmates. You can access information on how to send a non-confidential message at: jailatm.com.
Other Legal Access Related Communications
Requests for case information pertaining to noncitizens detained at the Pennington County Jail be sent to StPaul.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov. Please note that this mailbox does not accept applications for Stay of Removal or Case Appeals.
Contacting the Deportation Officer
To ascertain the identity of your client’s Deportation Officer, contact the Rapid City ERO Office to obtain that information at (605) 355-4300. Please note that a G-28 must be on file for any information to be disclosed.
Scheduling Legal 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.
Legal Correspondence
- Mail: Mail from a legal entity can be hand-delivered to the front desk or mailed through the Postal Service to communicate with inmates.
- Email Correspondence: Attorneys may send and receive encrypted email communication with their clients. Contact Jail staff at (605) 394-6116 for more information.
Submitting a G-28
G-28s filed on behalf of detained noncitizens at this facility can now be accepted through the online platform ERO eFile. Facility staff will not have access to ERO eFile at this time; legal representatives should download copies of their submitted G-28 for any in-person or remote legal visit.
Friends and Family Visits
Visit an inmate from your home computer, cellphone, or smart device:
- Visit From Home or download Securus Mobile App from Google Play or Apple Store
- Step-by-step instructions
Visit an inmate from the video kiosks in the Jail lobby:
Get assistance with video visitation:
- Visitation Help
- Or, call Securus Customer Service at 1-877-578-3658
Attorney Visits
Legal representatives of detainees are authorized to visit their clients during the following hours:
General Population Visitation
- Visits are available 7 days a week, 7 a.m. - 9 p.m., excluding 2 p.m. - 3:15 p.m., 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 a.m. - 5 p.m., excluding 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., 2 p.m. - 3:15 p.m., 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 Monday - Friday, 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, limited to the interview room on the corresponding unit (2nd floor main jail).
- Scheduled visitation times are strictly enforced.
General Population Maximum Security Visitation (2nd Floor Main Jail)
- Visits are available Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., excluding 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., 2 p.m. - 3:15 p.m., meal times and during emergency situations within the facility.
- After hours and weekend visits may be scheduled Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- 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, limited to the interview room on the corresponding unit (2nd floor mail jail).
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.
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 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
- 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.
Attorneys can conduct professional visits between 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., excluding any lock down times.
A list of pro bono (free) legal organizations will be posted in all detainee housing units and other appropriate areas. This list shall be updated quarterly. If a detainee wishes to see a representative or paralegal from that organization, it is the detainee’s responsibility to contact them for an appointment.
Legal Calls or Video Teleconferencing
Onsite video visitation is available for professionals at no cost. Contact Jail staff at (605) 394-6116 for scheduling.
Offsite (Remote) video visitation is available for professionals to visit from their office or anywhere internet service is available. Please contact Jail staff at (605) 394-6116 for pricing and assistance with account set up.
Consular Visits
Consular officials may meet with their detained nationals at any time. It is requested that prior arrangements be made with the ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer to the extent possible, and that consular officials bring appropriate credentials when they come to the facility. The ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer for this facility can be reached at (605) 355-4300
Clergy 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.
Clergy may visit detainees at any time but must make prior arrangements with the Chaplain’s Office.
Visiting Restrictions
- All family or other social visits are non-contact.
- No firearms or weapons of any kind are permitted in the facility.
- If visitors are or appear to be intoxicated, visitation will not be allowed.
- All visitors are subject to search while in the facility.
- Visitors are not allowed to pass or attempt to pass any items to detainees.
- Visitors are not allowed to carry any items into the visitation area.
Search Procedures (prior to or during all visitations)
All individuals requesting admittance to the facility or the visitation area are subject to a pat-down search of their person, an inspection of their belongings, and a metal scan search. Individuals refusing to cooperate with a reasonable search will not be admitted. No firearms or weapons of any kind are permitted. No electronic devices (cell phones, pagers, radios, etc.) are permitted in the secure areas of this facility.
Letters sent to detainees must include the last four digits of the detainee’s A-number (File Number), plus the sender’s name and address. To enhance the safety of the facility, all incoming mail is subject to screening for contraband. The mail is not read upon opening, only inspected by the delivering officer. Detainees may send mail from the facility. Detainees may seal their outgoing letters and place them in the provided receptacle. All incoming mail will be delivered to the detainee, and outgoing mail will be routed to the proper postal office within 24 hours of receipt by facility staff. A mail pick-up and delivery schedule is posted in all housing units.
Detainees are allowed to purchase stamps for use. Generally, there is no limit to the amount of correspondence detainees may send at their own expense. Indigent detainees (those who have no means of financial support and no funds in their facility account) will be provided postage allowance at government expense.
When detainees depart the facility or are transferred to another facility, only their legal mail will be forwarded to them. General correspondence will be endorsed "Return to Sender" and returned to the post office.
If detainees receive funds in the mail, they will be taken to the processing area for the money to be placed into their account. The processing officer will provide a receipt for all funds received. Detainees are cautioned not to have cash sent to them in the mail.
A detainee may receive items that are determined to be of necessity for the sole purpose of travel or release from agency custody with approval of the ICE Deportation Officer. Before sending packages to detainees please contact their Deportation Officer for directions on how to drop off packages at the ICE Office in Rapid City, SD.
All general mail will be scanned and a facsimile will be provided to the inmate. Originals will be discarded.
Inmate Email is encouraged. Inmates may send and receive mail while in the Pennington County Jail. All letters must go out and come into the facility through the United States Postal Service. Inmates may write an unlimited number of letters providing they have sufficient postage. Inmates may purchase stamps from commissary. Indigent inmates may send an unlimited number of legal letters and may request postage for one, 1 oz. letter per week within the Continental U.S. The Pennington County Jail reserves the right to inspect incoming or outgoing mail for contraband.
To mail letters to inmates please address the envelope as follows:
Inmate's Name (Inmate # if known)
Pennington County Jail
307 St. Joseph Street
Rapid City, SD 57701
Inmates may receive US Postal Money Orders and Cashier's Checks made out to Pennington County Jail in the mail and funds will be deposited to their account upon receipt.
Inmates may only receive NEW books and NEW magazines that come directly from the publisher. Inmates may only have 5 books in their possession.
Hardcover books are only allowed if they are not available in soft bound and must be approved in advance.
Packages to the Pennington County Jail that do not have prior approval will be returned to sender. Please contact the ICE office in Rapid City, SD to have a package delivered to the inmate.
Please reference policy 530.01 Inmate Mail, for further information, including the appeals process.
Note that detainees being removed from the United States are allowed one small piece of luggage. If a detainee does not have such baggage, such luggage can be sent/delivered after receiving approval from Supervisory Deportation Officer. Please be advised that for security reasons, no electronic devices (cell phones, electric razors, laptop computers, radios, etc.) will be accepted.
The facility has a responsibility to protect the privacy and other rights of detainees and members of the staff. Therefore, interviews will be regulated to ensure the orderly and safe operation of the facility. Ordinarily, live television or radio interviews will not be permitted in the facility. For media inquiries about ICE activities, operations, or policies, contact the ICE Office of Public Affairs at ICEMedia@ice.dhs.gov.
Personal Interviews
A news media representative who desires to conduct an interview with a detainee must apply in writing to the St. Paul Field Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations, indicating familiarity with an agreement to comply with the rules and regulations of the facility as provided to that person by staff.
Detainee Consent
A detainee has the right not to be interviewed, photographed, or recorded by the media. Before interviewing, photographing, or recording the voice of a detainee, a visiting representative of the media must obtain written permission from that individual.
All FOIA and Privacy Act requests must be submitted on form G-639 (Freedom of Information / Privacy Act Request) or in letter format. All requests must contain the original, notarized signature of the subject in question. Please complete the form G-639 thoroughly and if writing a letter, be sure to include the full name, any other names used, date of birth, place of birth, A-number of the alien you are seeking information about, as well as your full name, address, and telephone number, so that we may contact you if we have any questions.
Mail your FOIA or Privacy Act request to:
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Freedom of Information Act Office
800 North Capitol Street, NW, Room 585
Washington, D.C. 20536
Phone – 1-866-633-1182
Email – ICE-FOIA@dhs.gov
We strive to provide quality service to people in our custody, their family, friends, and to their official representatives. If you believe that we have not lived up to this commitment, we would like to know. If we have met or exceeded your expectations, please let us know that as well. To comment on the services provided at this office, please write to:
Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
1 Federal Drive, Suite 1640
Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111
If you feel that an ICE employee or contract services employee mistreated you and wish to make a complaint of misconduct, you may:
Contact the Field Office Director:
Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
1 Federal Drive, Suite 1640
Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111
(612) 843-8600
Write the Office of Professional Responsibility:
Director, Office of Professional Responsibility
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
500 12th Street, SW
Suite 1049
Mailstop 5099
Washington, DC 20536-5005
Contact the ICE OPR Integrity Coordination Center (ICC):
1-833-4ICE-OPR
ICEOPRIntake@ice.dhs.gov
You may also contact the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General:
DHS Office of Inspector General
Attn: Office of Investigations - Hotline
245 Murray Drive, Building 410 Stop: 2600
Washington, DC 20528
Call: 1-800-323-8603
Fax: 202-254-4292
DHSOIGHOTLINE@DHS.GOV