RAPID CITY, S.D.- The South Dakota Department of Corrections is providing notification to law enforcement and the public about the pending release of state prison offender Joseph Cook. Cook, age 42, will be released from prison on September 25, 2026, after serving the entirety of his sentences for possession of a controlled substance out of Pennington County. This was his third incarceration in the South Dakota prison system. “This offender has a history of criminal and violent behaviors, including sexual offenses, for which he has refused treatment while incarcerated,” said Secretary of Corrections Nick Lamb. “He has been assessed as a high-risk for future violence through institutional assessments, so we are notifying law enforcement and the public about this release.” Because he served the entirety of his sentence, Cook must be released from prison and will not be on parole supervision. Cook is releasing to Rapid City. Cook is white, 6-feet tall, and weighs approximately 305 pounds. He has brown hair and blue eyes. This notification is in addition to the letters currently sent to law enforcement and notices provided to the Division of Criminal Investigation each month. Since 2011, the Department of Corrections has issued a total of 24 public notices of pending high-risk offender releases. Share via: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn More