BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong introduces a funding proposal he says will help with overcrowding at the state penitentiary in Bismarck and county jails.
As part of his executive budget recommendations for the next two years he gave to a joint House and Senate Appropriation committee, Armstrong wants $16.1 million to staff and operate the Grand Forks County Correctional Center’s expansion, $9.3 million for a temporary housing facility for the Missouri River Correctional Center in Bismarck and $300 million to build a new State Hospital in Jamestown.
The governor says Grand Forks County officials brought him the idea of an expansion of the correctional center since they say they’re unable to staff the space or fund its operation. Armstrong says state money would make 90 more beds available at the jail in Grand Forks by July 1 and 88 more beds available in Bismarck by July 2026.
“Between these two facilities, this is the cheapest and fastest way to relieve pressure on our overcrowded correctional facilities, not just at the state but also the local level. But we also know we can’t build our way out of this. We need practical solutions that will increase access to services and not rely so much on our jails and prisons as treatment centers,” Armstrong said.
The governor also proposes adding $19.2 million for behavioral health programs including $6.9 million to expand Free Through Recovery, Community Connect and peer supports, $7.8 million to increase youth crisis and intervention funding, $2.5 million to expand the Substance Use Disorder voucher program and $2 million for rural crisis supports.
