Phone calls, video visits, and messaging: setup and typical fees
In Minnehaha County, the jail partners with NCIC Inmate Communications for phone service, video visitation, and inmate messaging. You'll need to set up an NCIC account to use these services. Published rates include $0.30 per minute for video visits, $0.25 per message, and $0.35 each for picture or video messages. Their materials also list prepaid phone calling rates by region.
For South Dakota DOC video or face-to-face visits scheduled through the DOC visitation platform, confirm with your incarcerated loved one that you're an approved caller before applying. Video visits are monitored and can be terminated if appropriate conduct isn't maintained. One detail to watch: the DOC platform shows visitation times in Central Standard Time (CST), so double-check the schedule.
Common Questions
Q
How do I set up NCIC (inmate messaging) accounts and what does it cost?
In Minnehaha County, you set up an NCIC account through NCIC’s website to use inmate messaging and related services. Minnehaha County uses this system for sending documents, photos, and mail, and it states that messages cost $0.25 each and picture messages or documents cost $0.35 each. The published NCIC rate sheet also lists video visits at $0.30 per minute.
Q
Are video visits monitored or can they be disconnected?
Yes, video visits can be monitored and disconnected. South Dakota DOC’s visitation platform warns that video visits are monitored and may be terminated if appropriate conduct is not maintained. If you are using NCIC video visitation in Minnehaha County, the published rate sheet lists video visits at $0.30 per minute.
Q
What ID do I need to bring to visit in the lobby or in-person?
For lobby visits in Minnehaha County, you must present government-issued identification. The jail lists acceptable forms like a driver’s license, a valid passport, certain state or county IDs (with a birth certificate if the ID does not show a date of birth), or a military ID with photo and date of birth. For DOC visits scheduled through the DOC platform, plan to check in 15 minutes before the scheduled start time and have a valid ID ready at check-in.
Q
How do I apply to visit Mike Durfee State Prison or who do I call with visit questions?
To apply, use the South Dakota DOC visitor application (online), or complete the printable visitation application and submit it by email or by mailing it to the facility for processing. For visit questions at Mike Durfee State Prison, the DOC visitation platform lists the facility phone number as 605-369-2201.
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