North Dakota Inmates Records

North Dakota inmate records are official documents containing an inmate's biodata and sentence information. Persons who obtain inmate records can expect to see the inmate's full name, identification number, birth date, charges, and mugshot. This information is made available to interested persons per the North Dakota Open Records Act.

Inmate records are considered public in the United States and therefore are made available by both traditional governmental agencies as well as third-party websites and organizations. Third-party websites may offer an easier search, as these services do not face geographical limitations. However, because third-party sites are not government-sponsored, the information obtained through them may vary from official channels. To find inmate records using third-party aggregate sites, requesting parties must provide:

• The location of the sought-after record, including state, county, and city where the inmate resides.
• The name of the person listed in the record, unless it is a juvenile.

Facilities Operated by the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation serves as the primary agency with administrative powers over correctional institutions in North Dakota. It oversees four adult state prisons.

North Dakota State Penitentiary
3100 Railroad Avenue
P.O. Box 5521
Bismarck, ND 58506-5521
Phone: (701) 328-6100

James River Correctional Center
2521 Circle Drive
Jamestown, ND 58401
Phone: (701) 253-3660

Missouri River Correctional Center
1800 48th Avenue Southwest
Bismarck, ND 58506
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 5521
Bismarck, ND 58506
Phone: (701) 328-9696

Dakota Women's Correctional and Rehabilitation Center
440 McKenzie Street
New England, ND 58647
Phone: (701) 579-5100

How to Visit Inmates in North Dakota Prisons and Jails

All intending visitors to North Dakota correctional facilities must use the state's prison lookup tool to confirm the location of the inmate they wish to visit. Further, intending visitors must be on the inmate's approved visitor's list. Inmates must send out visiting applications for persons from whom they would want a visit. Applications must be fully completed, signed, and sent to the particular institution in which the inmate is housed. Potential visitors may send applications by mail, fax, or submit in person during business hours.

All applications are considered and approved or denied by the Control Officer within 2 weeks after the prison administrative staff completes a comprehensive background check. If approved, the visitor must present a valid, government-issued photo ID during visits. Instead of in-person visits, approved visitors may schedule a video visit by registering and scheduling on the video visit scheduling website. A remote video visitor must have an internet connection on their tablet, phone or computer, and a webcam. Video visits can be scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., at least 24 hours before the visit.

Note that correctional facilities in North Dakota abide by strict dress codes for visitors and other applicable rules and regulations. Therefore, prospective visitors need to familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations applicable to the institution they intend to visit.

How to Send Money to Inmates in North Dakota Prisons and Jails

There are several options for sending money to an inmate in North Dakota, including:

1. Online payment through JPay. The sender can do so by visiting the JPay website. For more information on how to send money through Jpay, the sender may follow the how-to guide or call (800) 574-5729 to Speak with an agent any day of the week.
2. Mobile App payments are available on the JPay mobile App.
3. Moneygram by using the Receive code 1304
4. Money Orders. A sender can send money using the Money Order Deposit Form provided on the website of the ND DOC. Senders must properly and completely fill out the form to ensure the money order is not returned without payment to the inmate. Money orders should be made payable to:

Jpay
P.O. Box 822700
Pembroke Pines, FL 33082

How to Perform a North Dakota Jail Inmate Search

Most counties allow the public access to perform an inmate search in North Dakota using an online inmate locator service on the local law enforcement agency's official website. For instance, Ward County Detention Center, North Dakota, allows interested persons to find a person in jail by clicking and downloading its jail roster, updated at midnight every day. Likewise, Cass County Jail provides an online list of persons in custody. Alternatively, persons that need to know how to find out if someone is in jail can contact the jail administrator or the Sheriff's office by phone, mail, or in person during business hours.

The Difference between North Dakota State Prisons and County Jail

The North Dakota state prison and county jail system is one of the largest in the United States. It consists of over 3 state prisons and 23 county jails. The system can hold over 23,000 inmates at any given time.

The majority of inmates in the North Dakota state prison and county jail system are male, with females accounting for only about 10% of the total population. The average age of inmates is 35 years old.

Approximately 60% of all inmates in the North Dakota state prison and county jail system are serving time for non-violent offenses, such as drug crimes, property crimes, and public order offenses. The remaining 40% are incarcerated for more serious offenses, such as violent crimes, sex crimes, and homicide.

The North Dakota state prison and county jail system has a recidivism rate of about 50%. This means that about half of all inmates will be rearrested and incarcerated again within three years of their release. The state prison system is overseen by the North Dakota Department of Corrections. The department is responsible for the operation of all prisons and jails in the state, as well as the supervision of all offenders on probation or parole.

How to Perform a North Dakota Prison Inmate Search

The North Dakota DOCR provides an online resident lookup service that allows interested persons to perform a North Dakota prison inmate search. To initiate an inmate lookup:

• Visit the ND DOCR website
• Click the family and friends section on the homepage menu
• Type the inmate's name in the box provided.

While partial information such as the first two letters of the inmate's last name is acceptable, the agency advises that requesters fill in the inmate's name completely to narrow down the search results. Interested persons can also query third-party inmate record providers for a free inmate search by name.

How Do I Find Out a North Dakota Inmate Release Date?

Individuals that wish to find out a North Dakota inmate's release date may query the Department of Corrections online resident lookup service. This tool provides North Dakota inmate records, which contain all inmates' details - including their potential release date.