Central ND News

Gov. Kelly Armstrong has issued a statement following the Grand Forks County Commission's decision to approve a letter of intent for an agreement with the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR). This agreement would involve using unused space in the new expansion at the Grand Forks County Correctional Center to house DOCR residents.

Armstrong expressed appreciation for "the Commission’s unanimous vote expressing their interest to enter an agreement to house DOCR residents at the County Correctional Center." He highlighted that this initiative would benefit both parties involved. The state would gain access to additional jail beds, helping alleviate overcrowding in state prisons, while the county would receive another revenue source to manage the debt on its newly expanded yet underutilized facility.

The possibility of this agreement was initially brought up by county officials who approached the state with the idea. Armstrong had included funding for such an arrangement in his executive budget recommendation presented to the Legislature earlier this year in January. Details of the agreement are still pending finalization.