24-1-1. Correctional facilities of the state--Security level designation by secretary of corrections.

The South Dakota State Penitentiary, Mike Durfee State Prison, South Dakota Women's Prison, Jameson Prison, Pierre Minimum Center, Rapid City Minimum Center, Yankton Minimum Center, and Sioux Falls Minimum Center are the correctional facilities of this state for the punishment and reformation of offenders to which such offenders as may be committed, according to law, by any court of this state, shall be confined, employed, and governed in the manner provided by law.

The secretary of corrections shall designate each facility operated by the department with a security level as follows:

(1)    A level I facility must have designated boundaries but need not have perimeter fencing. An inmate classified as minimum may be incarcerated in a level I facility, but generally an inmate of a higher classification may not be incarcerated in a level I facility.

(2)    A level II facility must have designated boundaries with a single or double perimeter fencing. The perimeter of a level II facility must be patrolled periodically. An inmate classified as minimum restrictive or minimum may be incarcerated in a level II facility, but generally an inmate of a higher classification may not be incarcerated in a level II facility.

(3)    A level III facility generally must have a wall or double perimeter fencing with razor wire and detection devices. A level III facility generally must use controlled sally ports. The perimeter of a level III facility must be continuously patrolled. An appropriately designated close classified inmate, an inmate classified as medium, or an inmate of a lower classification level may be incarcerated in a level III facility, but generally an inmate of a higher classification may not be incarcerated in a level III facility.

(4)    A level IV facility generally must have a wall or double perimeter fencing with razor wire and detection devices. A level IV facility generally must use controlled sally ports. The perimeter of a level IV facility must be continuously patrolled. An inmate designated close classified or an inmate of a lower classification level may be incarcerated in a level IV facility, but generally an inmate of a higher classification may not be incarcerated in a level IV facility on a long-term basis.

(5)    A level V facility is the highest security level and may incarcerate an inmate of any classification level. A level V facility must have double perimeter fencing with razor wire and detection devices, or equivalent security architecture. A level V facility must use controlled sally ports. The perimeter of a level V facility must be continuously patrolled.

Source: SDC 1939, § 13.4701; SL 2004, ch 168, § 1; SL 2023, ch 82, § 50.