RAPID CITY, S.D. – Serious concerns about conditions inside the Pennington County Jail have surfaced after an inmate sent a letter alleging overcrowding and other issues at the facility.
The letter, obtained by South Dakota Public Broadcasting, claims recreation areas have been used as overflow housing, some inmates have limited access to bathrooms and running water, cells designed for two inmates are housing three people, and inmates have faced extended lockdowns.
Pennington County Sheriff Brian Mueller acknowledged the jail is dealing with overcrowding. He says the facility has 601 beds but has housed between 650 and 680 inmates on some days over the past year. Mueller says the county has been transparent about the issue and continues to pursue plans to expand the jail.
Jail officials confirmed that they used recreation areas for temporary housing and added extra beds to some cells. However, they dispute some claims regarding bathroom access and say inmates have access to correctional officers stationed near housing units.
The sheriff also says some operational issues, including disruptions to commissary services, were linked to a county cybersecurity incident earlier this year and have since been addressed.
The ACLU of South Dakota says the reported conditions are concerning and argues that addressing overcrowding may require both expanded capacity and alternatives for some offenders.
Officials note that the current jail population has recently dropped below operating capacity, although some inmates are still being housed three to a cell.
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