Attorney General Drew Wrigley’s interview with Scott Hennen
BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Senate Judiciary Committee has introduced a bill proposed by North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley that would have people convicted of violent crime serve 85 percent of their sentences before they’re considered for early release.
Wrigley calls the bill “truth in sentencing”. It would also make sure people convicted of assaulting law enforcement, resisting arrest and fleeing law enforcement can’t serve their sentences on those crimes concurrently with other convictions.
Wrigley is concerned unelected bureaucrats with the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation can release inmates early. He says the department has said some of those inmates are still incarcerated, but adds that means they’re in a halfway house or transition environment.
“The testimony from DOCR, they admitted it. They walk away. I call it a prison escape, because there is no control when they go out there,” Wrigley said.
The bill leaves the North Dakota Parole Board in place. Members are appointed by the governor.
“The recidivism rate is really high. DOCR tells me 40 percent of the people in the prison are there because they’ve violated their probation or parole and they get sent back after long strings of outrageous crimes. They don’t tell you they don’t count people in federal prison,” Wrigley explained.
DOCR numbers show in 2014 there were 8,811 violent crimes against people or robberies in North Dakota. In 2023, there were 12,601 violent crimes or robberies.
The bill has been heard twice in the North Dakota Senate Judiciary Committee.
