North Dakota Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation

08/10/2026

🐾 Great job, JRCC!

A heartfelt thank you to the JRCC Employee Club for choosing Prairie Paws Rescue as the recipient of your generous donation! 💜🐾
Your gift is already making a difference by providing much-needed supplies for our foster homes and helping cover extra medical care for the pets we rescue. Because of your kindness, more animals will receive the love and care they deserve while they wait for their forever families.
From all of us at Prairie Paws Rescue, thank you for your thoughtfulness, generosity, and support. We truly couldn't do this without amazing community partners like you! 🐶🐱💜

08/10/2026

We are excited to share a career opportunity with the Youth Correctional Center (YCC) and Heart River Correctional Center (HRCC)! For more information, please visit https://www.omb.nd.gov/team-nd-careers/career-openings

08/07/2026

The first stops on the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Community Forum tour are in the books!

This week, we were grateful to visit Grand Forks (City of Grand Forks - Government) and Rugby (City of Rugby) to kick off our statewide Community Forums. We appreciate the warm welcome from both communities and thank our hosts for providing the opportunity to connect.

A special thank you to everyone who attended: community stakeholders in both Grand Forks and Rugby, as well as the friends and family members who joined us for the Grand Forks evening forum. Your thoughtful questions, valuable perspectives, and willingness to engage in meaningful conversations help strengthen our partnerships and our mission of transforming lives, influencing change, and strengthening communities.

These forums are an opportunity to share information about the work of the DOCR, listen to the communities we serve, and build stronger relationships across North Dakota.

Thank you again to everyone who helped make our first Community Forums a success. We look forward to continuing these conversations as we visit communities throughout the state.

08/04/2026

Recently, DOCR Honor Guard Team East had the privilege of partnering with the local VFW and Scout Troop 163 to place American flags on the graves of veterans at Calvary Cemetery in Jamestown ND ahead of Independence Day. Together, they helped ensure those who served our country were remembered and honored.

Team East also proudly participated in Jamestown's annual Buffalo Days Parade, continuing a tradition that has spanned nearly two decades. With the exception of one year, Team East has helped lead or participate in the parade since 2008, representing the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation with professionalism and pride.

Thank you to our Honor Guard members for their continued commitment to honoring veterans, supporting our communities, and representing the DOCR with distinction.

And there's more to look forward to - the next time you see Team East, they'll be proudly wearing their brand-new Honor Guard uniforms, the first complete uniform update in 19 years!

08/01/2026

We are pleased to announce the promotion of James Hicks, Correctional Officer II, to the position of Sergeant at the Missouri River Correctional Center.

James brings four years of dedicated service with the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, demonstrating outstanding professionalism, adaptability, and leadership. Throughout his tenure at the North Dakota State Penitentiary, he has consistently excelled in conflict resolution, de-escalation, and maintaining a safe and secure environment for staff and residents. He has served in multiple roles across all units, including extensive experience as Acting Sergeant—where they provided guidance, coordinated daily operations, and supported staff effectively in both routine and emergent situations. James’ collaborative coaching approach and strong problem-solving abilities have made them a trusted and reliable team member. His commitment to professionalism, strong work ethic, and dedication to developing future neighbors within our community make him an excellent fit for the Sergeant role.

Please join us in congratulating James Hicks on this well‑deserved promotion! We look forward to his contributions and leadership at the Missouri River Correctional Center.

07/31/2026

Ten DOCR educators recently attended the North Dakota Science of Reading Literacy Summit, gaining valuable knowledge and resources focused on implementing evidence-based reading instruction in our classrooms. The summit provided an opportunity to learn about effective literacy practices, connect with educators from across the state, and explore strategies that support student success.

We appreciate our educators’ commitment to continued learning and professional development as they work to provide meaningful educational opportunities and support positive outcomes for those in our care.

07/30/2026

On July 29, the MRCC Education Department held a graduation ceremony honoring five recent GED graduates. These residents earned their diplomas after working hard this spring to pass the four GED tests. Nate Mickelson of Ministry on the Margins shared an encouraging message with the residents, asking them to think of this as “just one chapter in their book”. He defined the word “grit” and gave examples of how graduates have shown that during their educational journey and how he has also exhibited grit in his life. One of the residents, Michael St. Pierre, shared how earning his GED diploma has opened doors for him as he is currently working to enroll in college courses. Congratulations to the graduates – Trae Carver, Michael St. Pierre, Adrian Bustillos, Shane Sullivan, and Kody Kye.

07/30/2026

The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is proud to announce the promotion of Brandon Bellon to Sergeant at the North Dakota State Penitentiary. With 7.5 years of dedicated service, Sgt. Bellon has demonstrated strong leadership through his work in multiple housing units, including Restoring Promise and BIU, as well as his recent role as Intake Officer.

His ability to train and mentor staff, maintain a safe and secure environment, and bring a positive attitude to the team make him an excellent fit for this leadership role. Please join us in congratulating Sergeant Bellon on his well-deserved promotion!

07/29/2026

A big thank you to Hensley’s Tasty Truck for stopping by the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Central Office and North Dakota State Penitentiary and bringing a delicious lunch option to our team members!

Our staff had the opportunity to step away from their busy schedules, enjoy a meal, and connect with coworkers while purchasing lunch and fun beverages right here at work.

We appreciate Hensley’s for taking the time to visit our facilities and support our employees by providing a convenient and tasty option for our hardworking teams.