North Dakota Jails & Prisons
North Dakota operates 38 correctional facilities, including 11 state prisons and 27 county jails.
North Dakota operates 38 correctional facilities through the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR), including 11 state prisons and 27 county jails. The state system houses approximately 1,800 inmates — one of the smallest state prison populations in the country. North Dakota State Penitentiary in Bismarck (520 beds) is the primary maximum-security facility. James River Correctional Center in Jamestown serves as the medium-security institution, and Missouri River Correctional Center houses minimum-security inmates.
North Dakota's county jails are operated by county sheriffs and serve both pretrial and sentenced populations. Cass County Jail in Fargo and Burleigh County Detention Center in Bismarck are the largest county facilities.
North Dakota Inmate Search
To locate a state inmate in North Dakota, use the DOCR Offender Locator. For county jail inmates, contact the county sheriff's office directly.
Visitation & Phone Calls
Visitation at North Dakota state facilities requires advance approval. County jails operate independently — contact the specific facility for visitation and phone policies.
shown
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I find an inmate in a North Dakota facility?
- Use the DOCR Offender Locator at docr.nd.gov for state inmates. For county jail inmates, contact the county sheriff's office directly.
- How many people are in prison in North Dakota?
- North Dakota holds approximately 1,800 state inmates — among the lowest incarceration totals of any U.S. state. County jails hold additional pretrial and sentenced populations.
- How do I send money to a North Dakota inmate?
- Contact DOCR or the specific facility for current deposit instructions. County jail deposit methods vary by facility.