How to Schedule and Prepare for an In-Person Visit at Pennington County Jail (Rapid City)
Visiting someone at Pennington County Jail takes a bit of prep, but it's manageable once you know the process. Here's how to match the right day and pod time, verify housing classification, and avoid common reasons visits get denied.
In-person visits at Pennington County Jail happen Wednesday evenings and Saturday/Sunday mornings. The catch: your visiting time depends on the detainee's security classification and housing pod. Some published materials describe Wednesday as a "special visit" period, and weekend visits may require an appointment. Call ahead to confirm the current process - especially for a first visit or if the detainee recently moved.
One published schedule shows a Wednesday evening window from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The jail has posted different schedule versions over time, so treat this as a starting point and verify before you go.
Weekend mornings run by pod: B and D Pods at 7:30 am, A and C Pods at 8:35 am. Don't know which pod? Find out first - showing up for the wrong time slot means you won't get in.
Note: An older (2019) schedule shows different pod times and visit lengths (25-minute Wednesday visits vs. 60-minute weekend visits). These versions don't match up, so verify the current schedule before you arrive.
Before you head out, call 605-394-2639 to verify the detainee's housing classification. This quick call confirms whether they're eligible for your planned visiting day and which pod schedule applies.
Arrival and ID
- ✓ Arrive 15 minutes before the posted visitation time so you can complete administrative processing.
- ✓ Bring a picture (photo) ID for every adult visitor; you’ll need it at check-in.
Keep the limits in mind: detainees get one visit per scheduled visiting day, and only two visitors are allowed per session. If more than two people want to visit, you'll need to take turns on different days - no swapping in and out during the same session.
How long you'll get depends on which schedule version the jail is following. Some published info describes 60-minute weekend visits; one Wednesday window runs 7:00 pm–8:00 pm. An older (2019) schedule lists 25-minute Wednesday visits with different pod times. Since these don't match up, confirm the current visit length when you call.
You'll go through security screening before entering visitation - either a walk-through metal detector or a handheld wand. If an alarm goes off, cooperate with staff so they can identify the cause. Can't clear screening? No visit.
Show up sober. Anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be turned away.
Heads up: Your visit can be denied if staff consider your clothing inappropriate. Also, no hats, coats, hoodies, jackets, cell phones, or personal belongings are allowed in the visitation area - lockers are available for storage.
For last-minute confirmation, call the classification line at 605-394-2639. The jail's main number is (605) 394-2174.
- ✓ What is the detainee’s current housing classification for visitation?
- ✓ Which pod are they assigned to right now (A, B, C, or D), and what time should I follow for that pod?
- ✓ For the day I plan to come (Wednesday vs. Saturday/Sunday), do I need an appointment, or can I arrive for the posted time?
- ✓ Is Wednesday being handled as a “special visit” for this detainee’s classification, and are there any extra instructions for that day?
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