Juvenile offenders enter the SDDOC through the state's judicial system.  A circuit court judge can commit or recommit a juvenile following discharge to SDDOC. The SDDOC is responsible for providing the necessary custody, care, and supervision of juveniles throughout their commitment period.

Each juvenile offender is assigned to a juvenile corrections agent, or JCA, who serves as a single point of contact throughout the juvenile's commitment. The JCA monitors the juvenile's progress and is responsible for working with the juvenile and their family to identify aftercare placement resources and community-based services to help you succeed.  

The Juvenile Division works with various in-state and out-of-state providers for placement of juvenile offenders. Juvenile offenders may be placed in private programs and facilities based on their assessed risk, needs, and medical necessity. Throughout the placement period, the JCA collaborates with the facility/program, the juvenile, their family and future caregivers to provide essential case management and aftercare planning services.

One of the placement options is the Brighter Transition Youth Treatment Center, which is located on state property near Sioux Falls which is leased by a private provider.

Once a juvenile offender completes placement, they are released to aftercare. During aftercare, the JCA is responsible for delivering interventions, supervising the juvenile, and referring them to necessary community-based services.

Aftercare supervision incorporates a range of interventions and treatment services tailored to the specific needs of each juvenile.

Juveniles are committed to the SDDOC until they reach the age of twenty-one or until they are discharged. The actual length of commitment varies based on several factors, including the juvenile's offense history, behavior during commitment, willingness to adhere to rules and engage in treatment, and successful completion of the aftercare program.