Mike Durfee State Prison is a correctional facility located on the campus of the former University of South Dakota at Springfield. The prison was established in 1984 when the female inmates from the Women’s Correctional Facility in Pierre were moved to the newly constructed Springfield State Prison. The 1984 Legislature closed USD/S and authorized the Board of Charities and Corrections to establish the correctional facility.
The facility was renamed the Mike Durfee State Prison in 1999 in honor of Department of Corrections Deputy Secretary Mike Durfee. The medium-security prison houses male inmates and has a capacity of 1,512 beds. It is one of the four adult prison facilities in South Dakota, and it offers various programs to help inmates with their rehabilitation, such as educational and vocational courses, counseling, and substance abuse treatment.
Mike Durfee State Prison has a virtual tour available on its website, which showcases the different areas of the facility. The tour includes the administration building, barracks, Placid Chapel, and the children’s play area in the visiting room. The prison is surrounded by a fence and has watchtowers to ensure the safety of the inmates, staff, and visitors.
| Security | Medium |
| Capacity | 1,512 |
| Physical Address | 1412 Wood Street Springfield, SD 57062 |
| Mailing Address | 1412 Wood Street Springfield, SD 57062 |
| Can You Send Gifts? | No |
| Visitation Hours | Saturday and Sunday: 12:45 pm – 3:45 pm Third Friday of each month: 5:25 pm – 7:45 pm |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (605) 369-2201 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
Overview
Mike Durfee State Prison is a medium security male prison located in Springfield, South Dakota. It is operated by the South Dakota Department of Corrections. The prison is named after Mike Durfee, a former state senator from Bon Homme County who was instrumental in securing funding for the facility.
Location
Mike Durfee State Prison is located at 1412 Wood Street in Springfield, South Dakota. The prison is situated on the former campus of the University of South Dakota at Springfield.
History
The South Dakota Legislature authorized the establishment of Mike Durfee State Prison in 1984. The prison opened later that year as the Springfield State Prison, with the transfer of female inmates from the Women’s Correctional Facility in Pierre. In 1986, the prison began accepting male inmates as well.
Facilities
Mike Durfee State Prison has a total of 1,512 beds, spread across several housing units. The prison also features a number of support buildings, including an administration building, a medical unit, a chapel, and a vocational education building.
In addition to its housing and support facilities, Mike Durfee State Prison also operates two community work centers in Yankton and Rapid City. These centers provide inmates with the opportunity to work and earn money while serving their sentences.
Overall, Mike Durfee State Prison is committed to providing care and custody of its inmates, while also offering evidence-based programs to promote pro-social behavior and prepare inmates for successful reentry into society.
Visitation
Visiting an inmate at Mike Durfee State Prison is an important way to maintain connections with friends and family members who are incarcerated. However, there are certain rules and regulations that visitors must follow to ensure the safety and security of the facility.
Visitation Schedule
The visitation schedule at Mike Durfee State Prison is:
- Saturday and Sunday: 12:45 pm – 3:45 pm
- Third Friday of each month: 5:25 pm – 7:45 pm
Visitors should check the visitation schedule on the South Dakota Department of Corrections website or contact the facility directly to confirm the visiting hours for a specific inmate.
Video Visits
Video visitation is now available at Mike Durfee State Prison. Video visits must be scheduled in advance, and visitors must have a valid email address and internet connection to participate.
Approved Visitors
All visitors must be approved by the facility before they can visit an inmate at Mike Durfee State Prison. To be approved, visitors must complete a visitor application and submit it to the facility for review. The application requires visitors to provide personal information, including their name, address, and phone number. Visitors must also provide identification, such as a driver’s license or state ID when they arrive for their visit.
Visitors who have been convicted of a felony offense may not be allowed to visit an inmate at Mike Durfee State Prison. Visitors who have been incarcerated in a correctional facility within the past two years may also be denied visitation.
Overall, it is important for visitors to follow all rules and regulations when visiting an inmate at Mike Durfee State Prison. This includes adhering to the dress code, bringing only approved items into the facility, and respecting the staff and other visitors. By doing so, visitors can help maintain a safe and secure environment for everyone involved.
Education and Vocational Programs
Mike Durfee State Prison provides inmates with the opportunity to improve their education and learn new skills through a variety of programs. These programs include GED and literacy classes, vocational education classes, and treatment programs.
GED and Literacy Classes
Inmates at Mike Durfee State Prison can enroll in GED and literacy classes to improve their reading, writing, and math skills. These classes are designed to help inmates earn their GED and increase their chances of finding employment after their release. The University of South Dakota provides educational resources for the prison’s GED program.
Vocational Education Classes
Mike Durfee State Prison offers vocational education classes in welding, auto body, auto mechanics, construction technology, upholstery, and machine tool. These classes provide inmates with valuable job skills that can help them find employment after their release. Vocational Industries is responsible for overseeing these programs.
Treatment Programs
Mike Durfee State Prison provides treatment programs for chemical dependents and sex offenders. These programs are designed to help inmates overcome their addictions and learn how to live a healthy, sober life. Treatment programs include individual and group counseling, educational classes, and support groups.
Overall, Mike Durfee State Prison provides inmates with a variety of educational and vocational opportunities to help them succeed after their release.
Work Programs
Mike Durfee State Prison offers various work programs for its inmates to develop their skills and provide them with opportunities to earn income. These programs also help the inmates to build self-esteem and develop a sense of responsibility. Below are some of the work programs offered at the prison.
Inmate Work Programs
The Mike Durfee State Prison offers various inmate work programs, including manufacturing, agriculture, and service industry programs. Inmates can work in the manufacturing industry, producing products such as furniture, signs, and license plates. The agriculture program provides inmates with the opportunity to learn about farming and animal husbandry. In the service industry program, inmates can work in the kitchen, laundry, and maintenance departments.
Durfee Work Projects
Many of the inmate work programs are based at the Durfee State Prison. The prison provides inmates with the opportunity to work on various projects, including building homes for the Governor’s Housing Project. The project was moved to the prison from the South Dakota Housing Authority, and over time, it has expanded to include 72 pads for building houses on.
Construction Technology
The Mike Durfee State Prison provides inmates with the opportunity to learn about construction technology. Inmates can work in the construction technology shop, where they learn about carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work. The program provides the inmates with valuable skills that they can use when they are released from prison.
Community Work Centers
The prison also operates community work centers, where inmates can work on various projects in the community. The community work centers provide inmates with the opportunity to give back to the community while they are serving their sentences. The inmates can work on projects such as cleaning up parks, painting buildings, and repairing roads.
Horticulture
The Mike Durfee State Prison offers a horticulture program that provides inmates with the opportunity to learn about gardening and plant care. The program teaches inmates how to grow plants, care for them, and harvest them. Inmates can work in the greenhouse or the garden, and they can also learn about landscaping and lawn care.
In conclusion, the Mike Durfee State Prison offers various work programs that provide inmates with the opportunity to develop their skills and earn income while serving their sentences. These programs also help inmates to build self-esteem and develop a sense of responsibility.