Bismarck, N.D. – North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong has signed three bills aimed at reforming the criminal justice system for specific defendants, and providing more support to convicts who are released from prison
Known as the “deflection” bill, House Bill 1425 allows people who are under arrest to be directed to mental health and substance abuse services.
Supporters say the idea is to give local communities the option of providing crisis treatment instead of shipping someone off directly to jail.
A second bill addresses court costs.
House Bill 1417 reduces the amount of fees charged to defendants who can’t afford them. The law also weakens a judge’s authority to impose supervision fees on those sentenced to probation.
It also calls on the state legislature to revisit the issue of court fees in general during the next legislative session.
Yet a third law deals with the rehabilitation of inmates.
House Bill 1549 provides more grant money to bolster reentry programs at local jails.
The law requires the state to find clothing and transportation for eligible offenders who are released from prison, and assisting them with housing and healthcare services.
