Bismarck, ND North Dakota State Penitentiary View
North Dakota State Penitentiary is a state correctional facility in Bismarck, Burleigh County, North Dakota. It is operated by the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The facility primarily houses adult male inmates who have been sentenced to state prison, including people serving longer felony sentences or requiring higher-security custody. It is not a county jail and generally does not serve as the main holding facility for new local arrests or short-term pretrial detainees. Its role in the justice system is to provide secure confinement, supervision, and correctional programming for people committed to state custody by North Dakota courts.
Contact and Location Information
How to Find an Inmate at North Dakota State Penitentiary
Members of the public can use the official inmate search link on this page to look for someone in custody at the facility. Inmate search records typically list identifying information such as the person’s name, custody status, location, sentence or offense information, and sometimes admission or booking-related dates. Records do not always appear immediately after a person is received; intake and processing can take several hours, and updates may depend on when staff enter or verify the information. If a person was recently arrested in Burleigh County, also check the appropriate county jail or court records, because this facility primarily holds sentenced state inmates rather than most new local arrests.
FAQs
How do I visit an inmate at North Dakota State Penitentiary?
Visitation is usually scheduled in advance and may require the visitor to be approved before a visit is allowed. Check the facility’s official visitation rules for current hours, registration steps, dress code, and any limits on visitors.
What do I need to bring when visiting North Dakota State Penitentiary?
Visitors generally need a valid government-issued photo ID. Bring only approved items, because personal property such as bags, phones, and other items may not be allowed inside the visiting area.
How do I make phone or video calls with an inmate?
Inmates usually cannot receive incoming personal calls, but they may be able to place outgoing calls through the approved phone service. Video visits, if offered, must normally be scheduled through the facility’s approved system and may have fees or time limits.
How do I send mail to an inmate?
Use the inmate’s full name and identification number, if known, and follow the mailing address and rules provided by the facility. Mail is usually inspected, and items such as cash, contraband, or unapproved materials may be rejected.
How does the commissary work?
Commissary allows inmates to buy approved items such as snacks, hygiene products, and writing supplies. Family or friends may be able to deposit money through an approved payment service, but limits and fees can apply.
How is bail set and how do I post bond at North Dakota State Penitentiary?
Bail is set by a court, not by the facility. Because this is a state prison that primarily holds sentenced inmates, bond may not apply; for pending cases, contact the court clerk, the arresting agency, or the appropriate county jail for bond instructions.
What happens during the intake process at North Dakota State Penitentiary and when will the inmate appear in the system?
During intake, staff verify identity, review legal paperwork, complete screening, assign housing, and enter information into the custody system. Records may take several hours or longer to appear online, so a newly received inmate may not be searchable immediately.