Frequent Questions

Sex Offenders
 

Note: You can access the applicable DOC policies by clicking on Policies under the About Us tab.
1.3.C.12  Sex Offender Registration        1.4.A.3  Sex Offender Management Program        1.4.B.9  Sexual Behavior Issue Review
 

Do sex offenders receive treatment while in prison?

Yes. The sex offender treatment program operated through the DOC is known as the Special Treatment of Perpetrators (STOP) program. The STOP Program consists of therapy, educational treatment and relapse prevention. Failure to take part or complete STOP can negatively impact an inmate's parole and classification level. Those inmates who are terminated from or refuse treatment while in prison may have their visits restricted, may be classified to a higher level and may jeopardize their parole release.

The Sex Offender Management Program (SOMP) operated by the DOC includes sex offender specific assessments, Admissions & Orientation psychosexual screens, STOP programming, psychosexual reports, community release planning, assistance in community supervision, development and promotion of a community treatment provider network, and sex offender community treatment and supervision standards.

Do sex offenders have to register upon their release from prison in South Dakota?

Yes. All persons convicted of serious sex crimes, including federal, military, out-of-state convictions and certain adjudicated juveniles, must register if residing in South Dakota.


A sex offender must complete an initial sex offender registration (located on the South Dakota Sex Offender Registration website) within three (3) business days of coming into any county to reside, temporarily domicile, attend school, classes or to work, unless the move is the result of a DOC initiated transfer between facilities (See SDCL 22-24B-2). Registration shall be with the chief of police, or if no chief of police exists, then registration is completed with the sheriff of the county.


Offenders must register every six (6) months. They are first required to register during their birth month and then required to register six (6) months after their birth month.

A sex offender is required to complete the verification form sent out by the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) at least annually, pursuant to SDCL 22-24B-5 and return the form to DCI within ten (10) calendar days of receipt of the form. Violation of this condition is a Class 6 felony.

 

A sex offender on supervised release who moves to a different location or residence address will provide written notification of his/her new location or address to the law enforcement agency with whom he/she last registered within three (3) business days (See SDCL 22-24B-12).

A sex offender on supervised release who moves to a different location or residence address will provide written notification of his/her new location or address to the law enforcement agency with whom he/she last registered within three (3) business days (See SDCL  22-24B-12).


Prior to discharge, parole, release to furlough, work release or similar program outside of the DOC
facility, DOC staff will inform all sex offenders required to register pursuant to SDCL 22-2B1-1 thru
22-24B-14 of their duty to register and inform them of the community safety zone restrictions (See
SDCL 22-24B-13). This shall include all offenders who are:
1. Discharged
2. Released to parole
3. Granted a furlough
4. Granted Work Release/CTP
5. Or any other unescorted access to the community


Those required to register as sex offenders may NOT establish a residence or reside within a "community safety zone". The community safety zone is 500 feet from the facilities and grounds of any school, public park, public playground, or public pool.

Is there a list of all of the registered sex offenders available to the public?

Yes, the state-wide sex offender registry is available on the Attorney General's Office and Division of Criminal Investigation web site. You can view the South Dakota Sex Offender registry at http://sor.sd.gov.