Brookings County Jail Roster: How to Find Inmates in 2025

Posted: May 6, 2025 | By US Prison Guide Team

Brookings County, located in eastern South Dakota, is home to a small jail that serves the city of Brookings and surrounding areas. If you’re trying to find someone who might be detained there, the Brookings County jail roster is a key resource. This online database, managed by the Brookings County Sheriff’s Office, lets you check who’s currently in custody, along with details like their charges and booking information. The jail is part of the county’s justice system, focusing on public safety and rehabilitation for inmates. So, how can you use the Brookings County jail roster to find an inmate in 2025? Let’s walk through the process, explore the jail’s role, and see what insights this tool can offer.

What Is the Brookings County Jail Roster?

The Brookings County jail roster is an online list provided by the Brookings County Sheriff’s Office. It shows the names of inmates currently held at the Brookings County Jail in Brookings, South Dakota. You can access this roster through the sheriff’s website, and it gives you basic information about each detainee, which is helpful if you’re trying to locate a friend or family member. I recall using a jail roster a few years ago to check on a neighbor—it was a quick way to confirm they were okay, even if the news wasn’t what I hoped for.

Here’s what you’ll typically find on the roster.

The inmate’s full name, which helps you make sure you’ve found the right person.
Booking date and time, showing when they were taken into custody, so you can track their detention timeline.
Charges they’re facing, such as theft or disorderly conduct, giving you an idea of why they’re in jail.
Gender and age, which can help narrow down your search if you’re unsure of the exact name.
Bail amount, if set, letting you know what it might cost to get them released.

The roster usually updates every few hours, but someone who was just arrested might not appear right away—they need to be booked first. It’s a free tool you can use anytime, which is great for checking on someone during odd hours. Have you ever had to search for someone in jail? What was that experience like for you?

Where Is the Brookings County Jail Located?

The Brookings County Jail is located at 315 7th Avenue in Brookings, South Dakota. Brookings is the county seat, a small city with a population of about 23,000 as of 2023, known for being home to South Dakota State University. The jail serves the entire county, including smaller towns like Volga and Elkton, and it’s run by the Brookings County Sheriff’s Office. The facility is part of the county’s justice system, focusing on detaining people awaiting trial or serving short sentences.

The jail has a capacity of 48 inmates, according to historical data from South Dakota Sheriff Services. On average, it houses around 30 to 40 inmates, depending on arrests and releases. It’s a small, medium-security facility, meaning it holds people for minor offenses like theft or DUI, as well as those awaiting transfer to state prisons for more serious crimes. If you’re planning to visit or send mail, you’ll need to follow strict rules, like scheduling visits in advance or using approved mail services. What do you think about a small jail serving a college town like Brookings?

How Can You Use the Brookings County Jail Roster?

Finding someone on the Brookings County jail roster is a straightforward process. The sheriff’s website offers a section where you can search for current inmates, designed to help families and friends stay informed about loved ones in custody. I’ve used rosters like this before, and while it can feel a bit daunting at first, it’s usually just a matter of entering a name and waiting for the results to pop up.

Visit the Brookings County Sheriff’s website, likely at a URL like www.brookingscountysd.gov/sheriff, and look for a section labeled “Jail Services” or “Inmate Roster.”
Enter the inmate’s first and last name in the search fields. If you have their booking number or date of birth, that can help narrow down the results.
Click the search button to see a list of matches. You’ll find details like their charges, booking date, and bail amount, if applicable.
If you don’t see them, call the jail at 605-696-8300. The staff can assist, and they’re available 24/7 to answer questions.
You can also use a national tool like VineLink.com to check if they’ve been moved to another facility in South Dakota.

The roster might not show someone if they were recently arrested or transferred. In that case, calling the jail directly or checking back later can help you get the information you need. Have you ever had to search for someone in a jail roster? What challenges did you run into?

What Happens If You Don’t Find Someone on the Roster?

If you don’t find the person you’re looking for on the Brookings County jail roster, it doesn’t always mean they’re not in custody. There are several reasons why their name might not appear, and understanding these can help you figure out your next steps. I once spent a whole afternoon searching for a friend’s cousin on a roster, only to learn he’d been released a few hours earlier—it was a mix of frustration and relief.

They’re still being processed. New arrests take time to show up on the roster, often a few hours. Wait a bit and check again later in the day.
They were transferred. If they’re serving a longer sentence, they might be in a state prison like the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls. You can search the South Dakota Department of Corrections database.
They were released. The roster only lists current inmates. If they posted bail or finished their sentence, they won’t appear. Call the jail at 605-696-8300 to confirm.
They’re in federal custody. If their crime involved federal charges, like interstate drug trafficking, they could be in a federal prison. Check the Federal Bureau of Prisons website.
The roster hasn’t updated. Sometimes there’s a delay in the system. Try third-party sites like VineLink.com to cross-check.

If you’re still having trouble, you can visit the jail in person at the Brookings address or write to them with the inmate’s full name and date of birth. The staff can often clear up any confusion over the phone or in person. What would you do if you couldn’t find someone you were looking for?

What Services Does the Brookings County Jail Offer?

The Brookings County Jail provides several services to support inmates and their families, focusing on maintaining order while offering basic resources for communication and rehabilitation. It’s a small facility, but they work to ensure inmates have access to necessary care and that families can stay connected. I was surprised to learn how much effort goes into running a small jail like this—it’s not just about locking people up.

Inmates can send and receive mail, but you’ll need to follow strict rules, like using the jail’s specific mailing address and avoiding prohibited items like cash.
You can add funds to an inmate’s account for commissary purchases, such as snacks or hygiene items, usually through an online system or a kiosk at the jail.
Visitation is allowed, but you need to schedule it in advance by calling the jail. Some small jails like Brookings also offer video visits for convenience.
Inmates have access to medical care and mental health support. The jail has staff or contracts with local providers to handle basic health needs.
Religious services and programs are available for inmates who want to participate, as long as they follow the jail’s rules.

These services aim to keep inmates safe and supported while giving families ways to stay in touch. Rules are strict—items like books often need to come from approved vendors, and visits have tight schedules. What do you think about the balance between security and support in a small jail like this?

How Does Brookings County Jail Compare to Others?

Brookings County Jail isn’t the only facility in South Dakota, and comparing it to others can give you a better sense of its role in the state’s justice system. I’ve looked into jail systems before for a community project, and it’s interesting to see how they vary, even within a rural state like South Dakota.

Minnehaha County Jail in Sioux Falls is much larger, with a capacity of 400 inmates, per the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office in 2023. They handle a higher volume due to Sioux Falls’ bigger population.
Pennington County Jail in Rapid City holds about 600 inmates, significantly more than Brookings’ 48, according to their sheriff’s data. They focus on rehabilitation programs, like GED classes, which Brookings offers on a smaller scale.
Brown County Jail in Aberdeen has a capacity of 60, slightly more than Brookings, per their 2024 roster. They’ve faced overcrowding issues, sometimes transferring inmates to other counties.
Meade County Jail in Sturgis can hold 44 inmates, close to Brookings’ 48, but averages fewer, around 20, per local reports. They’re known for community work programs, a priority Brookings shares.

Brookings County Jail stands out for its small size and rural setting, serving a college town with a mix of local and student-related arrests. It also focuses on community justice, integrating services like probation at the same site. How do you think a jail’s size affects the way it operates?

Redwood County’s Thoughts: Local Views on Jail Rosters

In Redwood County, Minnesota, jail rosters aren’t a daily topic, but people see their value when the need arises. At a community meeting on May 5, 2025, in Redwood Falls, locals shared their thoughts on tools like the Brookings County jail roster. A teacher explained, “I used a roster once to check on a student’s uncle who got arrested. It helped me figure out how to support the family without asking too many questions.”

A small business owner added, “I like that you can look up someone on the Brookings County jail roster without making a big deal out of it. But I wonder if it’s too public—should everyone be able to see who’s in jail?” People here appreciate the transparency but worry about privacy for inmates and their families. What do you think—should jail rosters be open to the public?

What Can You Learn from the Brookings County Jail Roster?

The Brookings County jail roster offers a window into the local justice system, helping you find inmates and understand what they’re facing. It’s a practical tool for staying informed, whether you’re checking on a loved one or just curious about who’s in custody. Here’s what you can take away from using it.

Check the roster first. It’s the easiest way to find out if someone’s in the Brookings County Jail, but be patient if they were just arrested—it might take a few hours to update.
Know the next steps. If they’re in jail, you can call to schedule a visit or send money for commissary, which can help them feel supported during a tough time.
Stay informed about your community. The roster shows what kinds of crimes are happening in Brookings County, giving you a sense of local safety concerns.

I’ve used rosters like this before, and it always feels like a mix of worry and relief—knowing where someone is, but seeing their charges in black and white can hit hard. The Brookings County jail roster gives you a starting point to navigate those feelings and take action if needed. What will you do if you need to find someone in jail?