North Dakota Officials Mull Options for New Prison

BISMARCK, N.D. — A state representative who introduced a bill that would allow for a new state prison says new construction would be more cost effective than renovating an existing facility, which is the Department of Corrections’ preferred option, according to reports.

Members of the House Appropriations Committee are reviewing both ideas following the introduction of a bill by state Rep. Alon Wieland, R-West Fargo, that would allow for new construction.

The bill would provide $105 million for a 950-bed prison that would replace the North Dakota State Penitentiary and the Missouri River Correctional Center, a minimum-security facility. Under the plan, the property at both locations would be sold. The penitentiary is located in a commercial area and the correctional center is located on valuable riverfront property along the Missouri River.

Gov. John Hoeven’s budget also requests $42 million for a renovation and construction project at the penitentiary that would include construction of a new 225-bed housing unit and demolition of the facility’s east cell house, which is nearly 100 years old. The project would increase the number of beds at the prison from 550 to 794.