South Dakota is preparing to launch a new pretrial supervision program in Pennington County, aimed at improving oversight of people released from jail before trial. Chief Justice Steven Jensen told lawmakers that judges often order defendants to get chemical dependency evaluations or treatment, but in most counties, no one follows up because the state has no pretrial probation system.
A $385,000 MacArthur Foundation grant will fund the pilot program, allowing probation officers to track defendants, remind them of court dates, and ensure they meet release conditions. Pennington County will also begin providing judges with criminal and substance-abuse histories before bond decisions—something only Minnehaha County currently does.
The court system isn’t requesting new state funding, but lawmakers are considering House Bill 1015, which would authorize probation-style services for people who haven’t been convicted. Supporters say the program could reduce missed court appearances, while opponents worry about staffing and long-term costs.
The bill now moves to the full House.
