10 Worst Prisons in North Dakota

What are some of the 10 worst prisons in North Dakota? We have discussed some of the 10 worst prisons in North Dakota based on the prison requirements and crime rate.

7 Worst Prisons in North Dakota
Worst Prisons in North Dakota

North Dakota is a US state located in the upper midwest. It is ranked as the 19th largest state, with roughly 780,000 population. North Dakota joined the union as the 39th state on November 2, 1889.

In North Dakota, 90% of the land is used for farming, and the state is the top producer of dry navy and pinto beans.

Overview of the prisons in North Dakota

The incarceration rate in North Dakota is 583 per 100,000 people, placing it 24th in the country. With an increasing prison population, overcrowded prisons in North Dakota have resulted in many problems with the facilities. The inmates face a lack of resources and medical attention due to the increasing prison population.

Security problems have also been caused by overcrowding and understaffing. As a result of understaffing, the inmates are also not provided with proper medical care.

What makes the prisons in North Dakota the worst?

  • Prison overcrowding contributes to poor conditions within the facilities. North Dakota's facilities are overcrowded, which leads to unsanitary and violent situations that affect the well-being of inmates.
  • Prisons in North Dakota are understaffed, endangering both the safety of the facility and the inmates.
  • Violence and gang activities in Dakota's prisons have exacerbated inmates' living conditions.

What are the worst prisons in North Dakota?

1. North Dakota Youth Correctional Center

The North Dakota Youth Correctional Center is a juvenile detention facility that houses male and female inmates. The facility is located in Mandan, North Dakota, and is operated by the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The facility has four cottages: a brown one that can house 22 male juveniles, a maple one that can accommodate 25, a hickory one that can house 35 male juveniles, and a pine one that can house 25 high-risk male juveniles.

The facility's conditions have worsened due to the rising inmate population, leading to a shortage of supplies and medical attention. The effects of overcrowding extend to sanitary conditions as well.

2. North Dakota State Penitentiary

The North Dakota State Penitentiary is the maximum state prison for adult inmates. It is located in Bismarck, North Dakota. The facility opened in 1884, and since then, it has been operated by the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The facility can house up to 1550 offenders. Numerous counseling programs are set up by the facility to treat prisoners.

As stated by Governor Noem, there is a persistent problem of a lack of staffing in the facility. The facility also suffers from a lack of other resources, which has exacerbated living conditions.

3. James River Correctional Center

The James River Correctional Center is a medium custody prison in Jamestown, North Dakota. The facility was opened in 1998 and can house a maximum of 365 inmates. It used to be a co-ed facility, but in 2004 it became a male-only institution.

It provides its inmates with access to addiction counselors and medical services. However, increased riots and violence have worsened the conditions. Inmates are brutally beaten and subjected to inhumane treatment.

4. Missouri River Correctional Center

The Missouri River Correctional Center is a minimum security prison. It is located south of Bismarck, near the Missouri River in North Dakota. This correctional center has 13 dormitories with the capacity to house 151 inmates. The facility has been in operation since 1992.

The facility was overcrowded, which caused a slew of problems, including insufficient resources and medical attention. Furthermore, the facility has been in poor sanitary condition and has been plagued by other issues.

5. Dakota Women's Correctional and Rehabilitation Center

Dakota Women’s Correctional and Rehabilitation Center is a mixed custody prison housing medium and high-security offenders. The facility is located in New England, North Dakota. The facility is operational under a contract with the North Dakota Department of Corrections. The facility was opened in 1937 and can host 126 inmates. This prison offers abuse treatment, anger management, and sex offender counseling.

The facility has been overcrowded, resulting in insufficient medical care and resources. Aside from this, overcrowding has led to many violent incidents and riots in the facility.

6. Williams County Correctional Center

The Williams County Correctional Center is a secure facility that houses inmates. It is located in Williston, Williams County, North Dakota. The building is set up over 13 sections of urban land. The facility has been operational since 1927 and is supervised by 96 staff members.

The facility has been in the worst conditions, with unsanitary living conditions. Inmates are not given adequate resources, such as medical care. In addition, there have been riots and acts of violence inside the building, which have exacerbated the situation. The prisoners are frequently kept in abusive and inhumane circumstances.

7. Tompkins Rehabilitation and Corrections Center

The Tompkins Rehabilitation and Corrections Center is a high-security prison. The prison is located in Jamestown, North Dakota. The facility houses both medium and high-security offenders. Four other cells separate high-risk inmates from the others in a cell. There are five cells in each of these pods. This correctional center has three dormitory-style units, which can hold up to 90 inmates.

The failure of the facility to provide adequate staff members has caused security issues. It has been challenging for prisoners to access medical services due to a shortage of healthcare professionals. Additionally, inmates' health is adversely affected by unsanitary conditions.

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