History

Inmate work dates back to 1883, to before South Dakota was even a state. The Penitentiary in Sioux Falls was still known as the Dakota Territory Penitentiary when a stone quarry was started as a way to put inmates to work. In 1905, a twine plant and shirt factory was started. Prison industries have included a number of different products and tasks in the years since.

Some historic photos of inmate work are included below.