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Monday 7:30am - 4:30pm Tuesday 7:30am - 4:30pm Wednesday 7:30am - 4:30pm Thursday 7:30am - 4:30pm Friday 7:30am - 4:30pm

Rough Rider Industries

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Bismarck, ND
Rough Rider Industries

RRI is the Correctional Industries (CI) training program for the state of North Dakota.

06/16/2026

Rough Rider Industries recently upgraded our fiber laser with a new machine from a global leader in metalworking machinery and sheet metal fabrication solutions. This advanced equipment incorporates the latest technology and significantly increases our manufacturing capabilities and efficiency.

With new technology comes new learning opportunities. The implementation of the new fiber laser required residents and staff to complete extensive training on the machine’s operating software. After successfully completing a weeks-long course, our laser operators earned certificates of completion demonstrating their proficiency with the new system (notice our leader is not holding a certificate). 😊

The company’s software trainer spoke highly of the residents and staff, praising both their existing fiber laser knowledge and their ability to quickly master the new software package.

At RRI, investing in technology means investing in people—equipping residents with valuable, industry-relevant skills that support successful reentry and future employment opportunities.

06/15/2026

The ND Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (ND DOCR) has a unique and exciting opportunity as a Welding Specialist with Rough Rider Industries (RRI) located at the ND State Penitentiary in Bismarck, ND. The primary function of this position will be to provide welding and metal fabrication knowledge and experience to resident workers.

RRI is a self-sustaining division of the ND DOCR. We purchase raw materials from North Dakota suppliers, employ a workforce of 30+ RRI staff and 170+ residents or adults in custody, and contribute profits toward supporting the state’s Correctional programs. The mission of Rough Rider Industries is to provide adult individuals job skills training necessary for successful reentry while providing quality goods and services in a self-sustaining manner.

06/12/2026

As we conclude our recognition of Correctional Industries Week, we would like to shine the spotlight on the team that helps bring all our operations together—our Administration Team.

This dedicated group includes Procurement, Sales & Marketing, Accounting, Delivery & Installation, Commissary, and our Director. Together, they ensure raw materials and equipment are sourced, markets are developed for our products and services, finances are accurately managed, and customers receive exceptional service through delivery and installation support.

As for our Director, we’re still trying to figure out exactly what role he plays! 😊

In all seriousness, the success of Rough Rider Industries would not be possible without the commitment and teamwork of every member of our organization. We would like to thank our entire RRI team for the outstanding work you do in developing people, manufacturing quality products, providing valuable services, and operating in a self-sustaining manner without relying on taxpayer dollars to fund our operations.

In today’s workforce environment, RRI continues to serve as a workforce development solution for North Dakota businesses while playing an important role in public safety. We are proud of the impact our team makes every day and grateful for the dedication they bring to our mission.

06/11/2026

Today we recognize the dedicated staff at the Missouri River Correctional Center (MRCC), our minimum-custody facility and one of the final steps for many residents before reentering the community.

MRCC provides valuable employability skills training in areas such as welding and heavy equipment operation. Through partnerships with North Dakota agricultural supply companies, residents manufacture a variety of agricultural products while gaining real-world work experience. The team also fills between 45,000 and 60,000 sandbags annually for construction projects across the state.

In addition, RRI manages approximately 3,400 acres of DOCR property, where residents help care for livestock, control noxious weeds through targeted grazing, and maintain miles of fencing.

The MRCC staff are a hardworking and versatile group whose efforts support workforce development, agriculture, land management, and public service. Thank you for all you do each and every day!

06/10/2026

As we continue recognizing Correctional Industries Week, today we are proud to highlight the dedicated team members who supervise our Metal Fabrication, Sign Production, Coatings Application, and License Plate Manufacturing operations inside the North Dakota State Penitentiary.

The work performed in these production areas serves an important purpose across North Dakota. Our team designs and manufactures license plates of all varieties and sizes for the State of North Dakota and our tribal partners. They also help keep motorists safe by producing many of the signs seen along roads, highways, and interstates throughout the state.

In addition, Rough Rider Industries plays a significant role in keeping our communities clean by manufacturing many of the sanitation dumpsters used by municipalities and waste management companies across North Dakota. The next time you dispose of grass clippings or other yard waste, there’s a good chance the dumpster receptacle was built by RRI.

We would like to thank our RRI staff and resident workforce for their dedication and craftsmanship. Through their efforts, they help keep our state safe, clean, and identifiable while developing valuable employability skills that support future success.

06/09/2026

As we continue recognizing the dedicated staff who help develop employability skills among residents, today’s spotlight shines on our Furniture Fabrication and Design Department Team at the North Dakota State Penitentiary.

These team members oversee one of Rough Rider Industries’ busiest manufacturing operations. RRI has earned a reputation not only for producing high-quality products, but also for its creativity and ability to bring some of the most challenging customer concepts to life.

Residents working in this area gain valuable hands-on experience by creating product designs using AutoCAD software and once approved, guiding those concepts through the manufacturing process from start to finish. Through this work, they develop technical, problem-solving, and teamwork skills that prepare them for future employment opportunities.

We would like to thank our RRI Furniture Fabrication and Design team for the outstanding work they do each day. As one of our newest team members recently said, “RRI Helps Build Resident Futures.”

06/08/2026

Governor Kelly Armstrong has proclaimed July 7–13, 2026, as Correctional Industries Week in North Dakota!

Rough Rider Industries (RRI) is proud to serve as the employability skills training program for the North Dakota Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation. Research consistently shows that meaningful employment and job training increase reentry success, helping individuals build productive futures while reducing incarceration costs, improving public safety, and providing savings to taxpayers. In addition, RRI supports local businesses by returning much of its revenue back into North Dakota communities.

Pictured are the dedicated RRI team members from the James River Correctional Center (JRCC). The JRCC operation includes sewing, upholstery, plastic bag manufacturing, and serves as the primary hub for our prison commissary operations.

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the JRCC team for their hard work, professionalism, and commitment. Thank you for the outstanding job you do every day!

06/01/2026

The ladies are back! 🐑

Through our partnership with the NDSU Hettinger Research Extension Center, 387 ewes have arrived at the MRCC property to begin their summer grazing season.

These hardworking livestock will rotate through six pastures, helping control tall grasses and invasive noxious weeds such as leafy spurge. Using sheep as a natural vegetation management tool is an effective and environmentally friendly way to maintain our property.

Pictured are the transport trailer, unloading chute, and the resident work crew that assisted with safely unloading the sheep into the corral.

The flock will remain on-site through August before being loaded up and returned to the research center. We appreciate our continued partnership with NDSU and the valuable learning and work opportunities it provides.

05/15/2026

Well, we’ve probably all realized construction season is officially upon us. Each year, RRI fills between 45,000 and 60,000 sandbags for construction sites across the state. These bags are used to keep barriers and signage secure and in place.

Even though the season is just getting started, the RRI MRCC residents have already completed 18,000 bags. It hasn’t been an easy start either — the high winds have created almost a sandblasting-like work environment for the crews filling them.

So the next time you drive through a construction zone and see those colorful sandbags holding everything together, just know prison hands were involved in helping keep the work zones safe.

05/11/2026

The Associated General Contractors of North Dakota (AGC) once again hosted their annual Demo Days event in Mandan this past week. The event provided participants with the opportunity to operate a variety of heavy equipment, including dozers, skid steers, cranes, excavators, and more. Construction leaders also showcased survey equipment and other technologies used on today’s job sites.

Residents from the Missouri River Correctional Center had the chance to gain hands-on experience operating the featured equipment. The feedback from MRCC attendees was overwhelmingly positive, and many expressed gratitude for the opportunity. One RRI participant even made a valuable job connection ahead of his release.

RRI would like to thank AGC and all participating representatives for making this another successful and impactful event.

Address

Bismarck, ND
58501

Opening Hours

Monday	7:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	7:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	7:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday	7:30am - 4:30pm
Friday	7:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+17013286161

Website

https://www.roughriderindustries.com/

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