DOC reports first South Dakota inmate death of 2026 at Durfee facility.

The South Dakota Department of Corrections says state prison inmate Verlyn Julius died Feb. 23 at the Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield.

Julius, 83, died while in comfort care. He was serving a 35‑year sentence for first‑degree rape out of Minnehaha County. The death is the first reported within the penitentiary system in 2026.