STAR Academy for Youth South Dakota: Inmate Guide

Overview of the Facility

STAR Academy for Youth was a juvenile correctional facility located in Custer, South Dakota. It was operated by the South Dakota Department of Corrections and served as a rehabilitation center for juvenile offenders. The facility was closed in April 2016 due to declining youth populations in the correctional system.

Contact Information

Address: 12279 Hwy 16A, Custer, SD 57730

Phone: The facility is no longer operational, so no current phone number is available.

Website: The facility no longer has an active website.

Facility Closure

STAR Academy for Youth was officially closed in April 2016. The South Dakota Department of Corrections decided to shut down the facility due to a significant decrease in the number of juveniles in the correctional system. As a result, the information regarding inmate location, visitation, money transfers, phone calls, and other services is no longer applicable.

History of the Facility

STAR Academy for Youth was established in 1909 as the State School and Home for Feeble Minded. Over the years, it underwent several name changes and transformations. In 1996, it became known as the Youth Services Center, and later as STAR Academy. The facility served as a rehabilitation center for juvenile offenders, providing education, counseling, and various programs to help young individuals reintegrate into society.

Security and Management Information

During its operational years, STAR Academy for Youth employed various security measures to ensure the safety of both staff and juvenile inmates. The facility was managed by the South Dakota Department of Corrections, which oversaw all aspects of its operation, including staffing, programming, and security protocols.

Inmate Services and Programs (Historical)

When operational, STAR Academy offered a range of services and programs to its juvenile residents, including:

Education and vocational training
Counseling and therapy sessions
Substance abuse treatment
Life skills development
Recreational activities

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is STAR Academy for Youth still operational?

A: No, STAR Academy for Youth was closed in April 2016 due to declining youth populations in the South Dakota correctional system.

Q: What happened to the juveniles who were at STAR Academy when it closed?

A: The remaining juveniles at STAR Academy were transferred to other facilities or programs within the South Dakota Department of Corrections juvenile services system.

Q: Are there any plans to reopen STAR Academy?

A: As of now, there are no plans to reopen STAR Academy. The facility remains closed, and the property has been repurposed or is pending alternative use.

Current Juvenile Correctional Services in South Dakota

Since the closure of STAR Academy, juvenile offenders in South Dakota are now served by other facilities and programs within the state's Department of Corrections. For current information on juvenile correctional services in South Dakota, please visit the South Dakota Department of Corrections Juvenile Services website.

General Visiting and Contacting Information

We provide detailed visiting and contact information for STAR Academy for Youth. If you are have completed a STAR Academy for Youth inmate search and have located an inmate, the information on this page will help you to stay in contact. We help you send money to jail, send & receive text messages, and provide the address for in-person visits.

Sending Money

Inmates who are currently imprisoned in STAR Academy for Youth can receive money into their commissary account via money order, check or cash. Inmate visitors can also deposit money directly into the inmate's account at prison administrative office. Note: When sending the money via money order or check, mention the inmate id and full name on the back of the slip.

Sending a Package / Mail

You can send any mail to the inmates who are imprisoned in STAR Academy for Youth. Please send the mail or package to the address mentioned below.

Inmate Name,

Inmate ID,

12279 Brady Drive, Custer, SD, 57730

Please make sure the mail or package that you are sending comes under the list of approved items. For further clarification on the allowed items, contact the prison administration directly on 605-673-2521 .

Note: In case you want to send packages, you need to get prior approval from the prison administration. Contact the prison / jail staff for more information.

Phone calls

Inmates can call to any person outside who are on the approved members list between 7:00 AM to 7:30 PM. The cost of the call is beared by the receiver and the call can be of maximum 30 minutes. During rush hours, the calling time is reduced drastically to 10 minutes.

Visitation Rules

You need to get yourself registered in the visitors list before visiting any inmate in the prison. If you are visiting someone in STAR Academy for Youth, make sure you are in approved visitors list. Confirm with the prison authorities before coming to visit the inmate.

Listed below are the basic visitation rules which one must adhere to:

Visitor must not be a prior felon.
Visitor must have a valid government ID.
A legal guardian must be accompanied for children below 16 years of age.

STAR Academy for Youth Inmate Searcher

Fill out the form below and receive a detailed report on an inmate. This includes current and previous arrest records, social media handles, current and previous addresses & phone numbers.

First Name*

Last Name*

State