Union County has 10 full-time and 4 part-time jailers.
Union County Jail was built and moved into in August of 1999. The jail has 40 beds and an additional 12 beds used for work release. The jail also houses prisoners for Federal Marshalls and INS and other surrounding counties, as needed.
Visitation
Union County Jail allows and encourages inmates to maintain contact with family and friends through visitation. Visits are scheduled through jail staff, and must be scheduled a minimum, of 24 hours in advance by calling (605) 356-9498.
Visiting times are as follows:
Monday @ 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm & 6:30 pm
Tuesday – Friday @ 2:30 pm, 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm & 6:30 pm
Saturday @ 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm
Each inmate will have one (1), thirty minute visit per week. There are two slots available during each specified time. Visitors who have not made appointments will not be allowed to visit. If a visitor fails to show up for a scheduled visit they will not be allowed to reschedule the visit for the same week. Visitors who show up late will only be allowed to visit for the time remaining during their time slot. Any disruptions by either party during the visit will result in termination of the visit. Any visit may be denied if:
- The inmate or visitor is disruptive or dangerous
- The visitor appears to be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
- The visitor refuses to show, or does not provide identification
- The visitor refuses to submit to property security precautions
- Any contraband is detected on the visitor
- The Sheriff or Chief Jailer denies the visit for security reasons
- Visitor is dressed inappropriately
Money Requests
All monies (including money dropped off at the time of visitation) will be placed on the inmate’s account. Inmates wishing to withdraw money from their account must fill out a request form. Money orders and correctional institution checks will be endorsed over to the Union County Jail. All inmate funds will be deposited in the Jail account. NO PERSONAL CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT ANY TIME. At time of release, any remaining money in the inmate’s account will be refunded by check.
Property
Property delivered to inmates will be accepted at any time. Approved inmate property will be handed out after visits or when jail staff is available to do so. Only the items listed below are allowed in the Union County Jail. All items must be brand new, and in the original package. NO EXCEPTIONS.
*Underwear (6 max, white or solid colors only, must be new in package)
*T-shirts (6 max, white, cream or light gray only, crew neck, must be new in
package
*Socks (6 max, white only, must be new in package)(gray toe/heel okay)
*Thermal Underwear (white or cream color only)
*Writing Paper (NO wire bound notebooks)
*Clear Plastic Pens (any color okay) (NO PENCILS OR MARKERS OF
ANY KIND)
*Envelopes (no metal clasps)
*Photographs (no nudes-must have all private areas covered)
*Shampoo, Body Wash, Face Wash (clear bottle, liquid only)
*Conditioner (will be dispensed by jail staff in Dixie Cup)
*Hair ties (no metal allowed)
*Deodorant (completely clear)
*Toothpaste (will be dispensed by jail staff in Dixie Cup)-Over the counter
Tylenol, Ibuprofen, antacids, allergy meds (Claritin or Zyrtec only)(to be dispensed by jail staff). NO PM MEDS ALLOWED.
*Paperback books
*Puzzles, Games (but must be donated to jail)
*Stamps
*Money (Cash or Money Order ONLY)
*Magazines will not be accepted unless directly from publisher through mail.
Phone calls
Union County Jail utilizes Reliance Telephone for inmate calls. You can purchase phone cards by going to their web site: www.reliancetelephone.com or
Inmates can purchase $10.00 and $20.00 phone cards in the jail out of their inmate bank. Short messages can be left for inmates by calling (605) 356-9489.
Notice to Inmates Sentenced in Union County
Effective January 1, 2023, all inmates sentenced to the Union County Jail will be charged $25.00 per day for room and board. This fee will be deducted daily from the inmate’s account. Prescription and over the counter medications will be charged and deducted from inmate bank when the expense in incurred.
SDCL 24-11-45, which authorizes prisoners confined to jail while serving a sentence to be liable for the cost of their confinement, became effective July 1, 1995. Below is a full text of SDCL 24-11-5.
“A prisoner confined to any jail while serving a sentence is liable for the cost of the prisoner’s confinement including room and board charges, medical, dental, optometric and psychiatric service charges, vocational education training and chemical dependency treatment charges. If, after considering the prisoners net income, net worth, number of dependents and any existing obligations, the Judge who sentenced the prisoner to jail determines that the prisoner is unable to pay, the Judge may waive all or part of the payment for the cost of the inmate’s confinement.”
Inmates will be billed, and if not paid, the unpaid balance will be turned over to a collection agency.