Half of South Dakota inmates return to prison, higher rates among Native Americans

South Dakota Searchlight reports that half of the people released from South Dakota prisons return within three years, according to the Department of Corrections’ 2025 annual report. The report shows the state’s recidivism rate is the highest in at least eight years and seven percentage points higher than last year. Among Native Americans released from prison, 59% return within three years, the highest rate of any racial group. Native Americans make up 39% of the state’s prison population, including 35% of incarcerated men and 61% of incarcerated women. The recidivism rate among Native American women is 66%, according to the report.

Department officials presented the data Wednesday to the South Dakota Correctional Rehabilitation Task Force in Pierre. Task force members approved 11 recommendations for the Department of Corrections, including restoring evening prison volunteers, designating the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate parole program as a flagship model and piloting a tribal cultural liaison position. State Rep. Kadyn Wittman said the figures show the state is “not appropriately supporting the Indigenous population.”