The jail in Pennington County, South Dakota. Photo from Pennington County
Inside the steel doors of confinement
By Richie Richards
Native Sun News Staff Writer RAPID CITY –– “Tell them we need more coffee” was the only comment made by an inmate of the Pennington County Jail (PCJ) in Rapid City while Native Sun News toured the facility on Tuesday, Apr. 7. Although this comment was made in jest, it shows the level of treatment those incarcerated receive by staff and the facility managers. The jail tour was conducted by Captain Rob Yantis and Chief Deputy Brian Mueller of the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO); which began in the control room or “brains” of the jail. The cleanliness and appearance of the jail was impeccable. There are currently 127 jail staff working around the clock in most cell blocks, there is one correctional officer per 60 inmates. From this central point, the whole facility is monitored on video and all traffic of inmates and staff is controlled by two staff members. The system being used was installed in 2005, which at that time was already an older security system. This fall bids will be accepted for updating the system. The PCJ has a Staging Area which serves many purposes; including a holding area for those waiting for court transport and acts as a space to conduct programs. According to Programs Officer Sam Steele, there are 184 programs for inmates to participate in. Although programs are for all inmates, NSN asked about specific programs for the needs of Native inmates. Officer Steele confirmed there is a Native American women’s talking circle in PCJ run by Pansy Hawk Wing. She is a volunteer from the Native Healing Program, an Oglala Sioux Tribe program located on the Sioux San campus which provides services for those with addiction recovery needs. In the jail, Hawk Wing donates her time to serve on the Religious Advisory Committee and in the Native American Spiritual Program. She counsels female inmates regarding their time in jail and also their needs upon release. She respects the confidentiality and privacy of her inmates saying, “We take confidentiality very seriously. What’s said in the circle, stays here. We work to find inmates positive support and that is done by connecting the mind to the heart.” Hawk Wing does work with male inmates through a window, but states personal choice as her reason for not meeting with them in person. Obviously, personal safety is a concern for all persons working in the jail. Both Officer Steele and Hawk Wing agree, more volunteers and advocates are needed in the jail for the mental, emotional, and spiritual health of Native Americans while in custody. Some of the volunteer/staff needs identified by both Steele and Hawk Wing were; a coordinator for a Native men’s talking circle, practitioners of spiritual customs, communicators of culture bearing beliefs, and drum groups willing to come in and teach. Last summer, was the last time a drum group came to the jail to play. Sheriff Kevin Thom said, “I miss hearing the drums and it truly has an effect on all inmates - it’s soothing.” Listening to the traditional music and songs can be comforting to men and women dealing with the emotions of their personal lives and a break from the clangs of the steel doors of confinement. Although tobacco, sage and sweet grass play a central role in many prayer practices, the jail does not allow the burning of any materials due to regulations and Simplex Fire Alarm system. Steele states: “There is no outdoor facility for the purposes of conducting such ceremonies.” Inmates are allowed to handle sage and in hopes the aroma will suffice in place of smudging. Steele would like to see more rehabilitative and reformative programs for Native Americans and all inmates. These programs offer assistance in counseling, drug/alcohol rehabilitation, job training and job search skills, as well as domestic duties and routines. One such program is the Rebound Program through the Pennington County Health and Human Services. Native Sun News will feature this program in a future article. Jail is not meant to be a vacation. Often times, these inmates have committed crimes against friends, families and strangers in this community. Correctional Officers stress treating everyone with respect regardless of their crimes. During the course of the jail tour, Captain Yantis, a seven year veteran of PCJ, mentioned, “We treat inmates with the respect we want to be treated with. This mutual respect is why there are little problems between staff and inmates.” When asked about the possibility of bringing in a treatment program, other than AA and NA meetings, complete with the regular 12-step program methodologies, Officer Mueller confirmed this would be a matter of funding, staffing and/or volunteers. Native Sun News interviewed one parent who said, “I would like to see them getting the help they need while in jail. They could get treatment and counseling they need instead of just sitting their time out.” Native Sun News visited a cell block designated for minimum security inmates and used for work release which was not being used. This area had 52 beds currently available. Unused space seems like an option for programming consideration by the PCSO. A suicide in the Pennington County Jail has not occurred in over 10 years according to both Mueller and Yantis; though several attempts are made per year. Preventive measures are taken for suicide prevention including; behavior and mental health specialists on staff, detailed screening processes, monitoring changes in behavior after court, visits, and phone calls. Staff members frequently receive calls from concerned family members and loved ones regarding inmates’ mental health. The jail has certain amenities to make doing time a little easier. Inmates are provided a Thursday movie night with popcorn, allowed 10 hours per day out of cells, allowed time off sentences for work release job programs (1 day for every 5 days of work), emails are allowed at $.50 per, video visits, contact visits after 60 days of incarceration, and gang activity is limited as all inmates are housed together regardless of street affiliation. Over-population at the Pennington County Jail is not an issue right now. The collaborative efforts of the state’s attorney’s office, Sheriff’s office, and alternative programs keep people from just continually having jail as the only option. Chief Deputy Brian Mueller, said “We are proud of our collaborations and work on keeping inmates out of jails. We want the public safe but we don’t just want to put people in jail either.” If you would like to apply for a job with the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office as a Correctional Officer or volunteer in a program, please visit their website at www.pennco.org/jobs. (Contact Richie Richards at staffwriter@nsweekly.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News Related Stories:
Native Sun News: A ride-along with a South Dakota county sheriff (4/17)
Native Sun News: County sheriff seeks more Native employees (4/14)
Join the Conversation
