Visiting Pennington County Jail a matter of confusion

By Clara Caufield,

NSNT Correspondent

Rob Yuntis pennigton county jail commander. (courtesy photo)

RAPID CITY – Many Indian people in Rapid City and on the reservations have relatives or friends who are incarcerated in the Pennington County Jail. Wishing to keep in contact or put “money on the books” has become a challenging proposition, largely due to the current COVID problem. Several Native Sun New Today readers expressed concern and confusion about how to visit someone in the jail, as the Native population at that institution is quite high.

Recently, Rob Yuntis, the Pennington County Jail Commander explained those procedures to Native Sun News Today.

Due to the COVID pandemic, he said, personal visits are no longer possible. Instead, visits are conducted via internet. “This is to protect against the spread of COVID among the population at Pennington County Jail,” he said. “So far, we have had a low incidence. The biggest threat to our population is staff or visitors who might carry the virus. But, as a result of our precautions, Pennington County Jail has not seen a spike in COVID which many other institutions across the country have experienced. Our incidence of COVID cases are very low and we want to keep it that way.”

“There are many rural people who must visit long distance, for example from Pine Ridge which is difficult when they travel here and costs a lot of money. Yet, keeping in touch with family is very important for our inmates to prepare them for re-integrating into society.”

Currently, as a precaution of spreading COVID, visitation is limited to internet visits. In order to do that, visit the Pennington County Jail website to get instructions. First, a person must have a computer, internet access and the ability through credit or debit card to pay for that cost – roughly $8 dollars for a twenty minute visit. If people do not have those resources, Yuntis said, they can physically go to the jail lobby and use that video cameras there, provided they have scheduled a visit. Still, the fee must be paid.

“Sometimes, this is a complicated process,” he acknowledged. “If so, our staff is readily available to assist them.”

Next question: How to put money “on the books” for an inmate. The first option is to physically go to the jail where a kiosk is in the lobby. That will accept cash, debit or credit card. Search by name for the inmate or go to jailatm.com. It is also possible to purchase “care packages” for inmates for commissary use. If going to the jail to do that is not possible, visit jailatm.com. According to jail staff, that should be easy to do.

Otherwise, the following information is provided on the Pennington County Jail website.

Pennington County Jail – Remote (Offsite) Video Visitation $7.95 for 20 minutes ONE TIME ACCOUNT SETUP: Visitors will need: – Internet access – Smart phone, laptop, tablet or computer with the ability to take a photo – Email address – Phone number – Valid Government issued photo ID – Debit or Credit Card 1. Download the Securus Mobile app from Google Play or Apple Store. If using on a laptop/computer go to www.videovisitanywhere.com to set up an account. 2. Follow the steps to create an account. a. Enter email address and password b. Create security questions and answers c. Enter account information; name, email, phone number, address, debit/credit card d. Create a 4 digit pin code e. Take a picture of your valid, Government issued photo ID f. Take a headshot picture (selfie) of yourself. (No nudity, gang signs, etc.) 3. Submit. Your account information will be reviewed by Pennington County Jail staff. You will receive an email notification if you are approved or denied. If you are denied, you will receive information to correct the errors.

If approved, you are ready to SCHEDULE A VISIT: 4. Open Securus Mobile app or visit www.videovisitanywhere.com 5. Click Launch Video Visitation 6. Click Schedule A Visit, Select Remote 7. Choose Schedule for Pennington County Jail a. If your inmate is in Restricted Housing, choose Schedule for Pennington County Jail SEG b. Approval may be needed to schedule for these inmates. Follow the prompts to request access to scheduling. You will be notified via email upon approval. 8. Enter Inmate’s Last Name or Inmate Number, Click Search, and Select the inmate a. If you cannot locate your inmate, refer to #7 or visit www.pennco.org/jail to verify the inmate is in Pennington County Jail. 9. Press Schedule a Visit 10. Select Duration, Date, Time a. Restricted Housing inmates must visit during their timeout and need to communicate the time to their visitors. 11. Enter Billing Address and Credit Card Details 12. Enter Coupon Code (if available) 13. Submit. If cancellation is needed, 24 hrs notice is required. No exceptions.

General Population Visitation

Video Visits are available 7 days a week, 7:00 a.m. through 9:00 p.m., excluding 2:00-3:15, meal times, and during emergency situations within the facility.
Scheduling is not required.

Restrictive Housing Visitation (2nd Floor Main Jail)

Visits are available Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m., excluding 11:00-12:00, 2:00-3:15, and the inmate’s time out and during emergency situations within the facility.

When this reporter noted to Yuntis that this may be a confusing situation to many, especially elders, he agreed. “We have tried to simplify the process. We encourage people to help us do that. You may contact me at 605-394-6116, extension 1 to offer suggestions on how we can improve visitation.”

(Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com)

The post Visiting Pennington County Jail a matter of confusion first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

Visit Original Source

← previous - next →