South Dakota Opened New Rapid City Women's Prison

The state relocated 79 female inmates to the new $87 million facility during September.

Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Criminal Justice

Isometric editorial illustration of a modern correctional facility building with clean, rectangular architecture and security fencing in a wide landscape. — South Dakota has completed the transfer of 79 female inmates to a new $87 million correctional facility in Rapid City. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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South Dakota officially began transferring female inmates to a new 288-bed prison in Rapid City in September 2026. This move comes as the state addresses ongoing capacity issues and seeks to retire aging infrastructure.

Why it matters

Construction of the facility was spurred by severe overcrowding at the Pierre campus and the determination that the current minimum security unit is unfit for habitation. The shift represents a major capital investment aimed at improving facility standards for the incarcerated population.

The new Rapid City complex cost $87 million and offers 288 beds. As of October 1, 466 women remain in custody at Pierre facilities, with an additional 64 inmates held at the Hughes County Jail.

The players

South Dakota Department of Corrections

This state agency manages the prison system and is responsible for the transition of inmates to new facilities.

The details

State engineers previously condemned the minimum security unit in Pierre, leading to the cessation of maintenance work in 2023. Legislators have since approved $682,825 to fund the eventual demolition of that older housing unit once the Rapid City facility reaches full operational capacity.

Maintenance work on the Pierre minimum unit ceased in 2023.
The total female inmate population was 580 in February 2026.
A ribbon cutting for the new Rapid City prison occurred on July 10, 2026.
The female inmate population reached 632 on August 31, 2026.
Inmates began moving into the Rapid City prison in September 2026.

Legal Context

This facility transition follows the state legislative funding for the demolition of the Pierre minimum unit, marking a shift toward replacing structurally unsound correctional sites. The project mirrors broader trends where states move away from aging, overcrowded facilities in favor of modern, purpose-built complexes.

The closure of the condemned Pierre unit will eliminate a facility that state engineers deemed unfit for human habitation. Residents can expect ongoing state operations as the Department of Corrections manages the transfer of inmates and the eventual demolition of the older property.

The takeaway

The transition to the new Rapid City complex marks the beginning of the end for the state's reliance on the condemned Pierre minimum security housing. Officials expect the inmate population at the new facility to grow steadily as the state consolidates its housing operations.