North Dakota’s prison system has reached maximum operational capacity, leading to the implementation of a prioritization plan by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR). The plan allows the DOCR to refuse inmates sentenced to its custody, impacting local jails like Cass County Jail. The state prisons have exceeded their capacity of 1,624 incarcerated men and currently house 1,779 male inmates.
Cass County Sheriff Jesse Jahner expressed concern over the overcrowding situation, as his office does not have the capacity to hold inmates sentenced to the State Penitentiary. The DOCR had been relying on nearby jail partners to alleviate overcrowding, but even those facilities are now full.
The prioritization plan prioritizes admissions based on sentences and available space in the State Penitentiary. Offenders convicted of violent Class AA, A, and B felony offenses receive first priority for incarceration. The plan means that inmates sentenced to DOCR custody will now stay in county jails where they were housed while awaiting sentencing.
DOCR Director Colby Braun emphasized that public safety remains a top priority during this prioritization period. Despite the challenges posed by the overcrowding in the prison system, efforts are being made to manage the situation effectively. The DOCR continues to work within the constraints of the system to ensure the safety of both inmates and the community.
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