The Dakota Women’s Correctional and Rehabilitation Center (DWCRC) is a 131-bed contracted women’s prison that is located in New England, North Dakota. The facility is operated by the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR) and is responsible for the custody and care of female inmates who have been sentenced to prison. The DWCRC consists of a 70-bed minimum unit, a 45-bed medium unit, a 16-bed orientation unit, and a 5-bed Special Management Unit (high-security unit).
The mission of the DOCR is to transform lives, influence change, and strengthen communities. The DWCRC plays a crucial role in achieving this mission by providing a safe and secure environment for female inmates to serve their sentences, as well as offering a range of rehabilitation and reentry programs to help them successfully reintegrate into society.
The facility provides educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and parenting classes, among other programs. In addition, the DWCRC has a dedicated team of staff members who work tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of the inmates under their care.
Despite its important role in the criminal justice system, the DWCRC has faced criticism in the past for its treatment of female inmates. However, the facility has taken steps to address these concerns, including implementing new policies and procedures to ensure that inmates are treated fairly and respectfully. As a result, the DWCRC has become a model for other women’s prisons across the country and has helped to improve the lives of countless female inmates who have passed through its doors.
| Security | Mixed |
| Capacity | 131 |
| Physical Address | 440 McKenzie St, New England, ND 58647 |
| Mailing Address | 440 McKenzie St, New England, ND 58647 |
| Can You Send a Gift? | No |
| Visitation Hours | Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (701) 579-5100 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
Overview
Dakota Women’s Correctional and Rehabilitation Center is a 131-bed facility located in New England, North Dakota. The facility is designed to house female inmates and offers a range of services to help them transition back into society. This section will provide an overview of the center’s history and facility.
History
The Dakota Women’s Correctional and Rehabilitation Center was established during the 2003-05 biennium when the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation began contracting with the facility to house its female inmates. The center is owned and operated by the Southwest Multi-County Correction Center Board.
Before the establishment of the Dakota Women’s Correctional and Rehabilitation Center, female inmates were housed in an old school building in Bismarck, North Dakota. The move to the new facility in New England provided better living conditions and access to a wider range of services.
Facility
The Dakota Women’s Correctional and Rehabilitation Center is a modern facility that provides a safe and secure environment for female inmates. The facility has a 70-bed minimum unit, a 45-bed medium unit, a 16-bed orientation unit, and a 5-bed Special Management Unit (high-security unit).
The center offers a range of services to help inmates transition back into society, including education and vocational training programs, substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and job placement assistance. In addition, the center has a Women’s Services Unit that provides specialized services to meet the unique needs of female inmates.
The construction of the Dakota Women’s Correctional and Rehabilitation Center was funded by the state of North Dakota at a cost of $161.2 million. The facility has state-of-the-art security systems and is staffed by a team of highly trained professionals who are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all inmates.
Inmates
The Dakota Women’s Correctional and Rehabilitation Center houses female inmates in North Dakota. The facility has different units for inmates based on their security level and needs.
Female Inmates
The DWCRC houses only female inmates. Inmates are housed in different units based on their security level and needs. The facility has a minimum-security unit and a special management unit.
Minimum Security
The minimum-security unit at DWCRC houses inmates who are considered low-risk. Inmates in this unit have more freedom of movement and fewer restrictions compared to other units. They are allowed to participate in work, education, and other programs. The unit is designed to help inmates transition back into society.
Special Management Unit
The special management unit at DWCRC houses high-security inmates who require more supervision and control. Inmates in this unit have more restrictions on their movement and activities. The unit is designed to provide a safe and secure environment for both inmates and staff.
Overall, the DWCRC provides a secure and structured environment for female inmates. The facility offers a range of programs and services to help inmates transition back into society. Inmates have access to education, job training, and other programs to help them prepare for life after incarceration. The facility also has a strong focus on rehabilitation and provides counseling and other services to help inmates address the issues that led to their incarceration.
Programming
The Dakota Women’s Correctional and Rehabilitation Center offers a variety of programming to help inmates develop important skills and address underlying issues that may have contributed to their incarceration. These programs include education, vocational skills, and therapeutic groups.
Education Programs
DWCRC provides inmates with the opportunity to earn their high school diploma or GED. In addition to traditional classroom instruction, the center also offers computer-based learning programs. These programs allow inmates to work at their own pace and gain valuable computer skills that may help them secure employment upon release.
Vocational Skills
DWCRC offers vocational training programs in welding, culinary arts, and office technology. These programs provide inmates with hands-on experience and marketable skills that can increase their chances of finding employment after release.
Therapeutic Groups
DWCRC offers a variety of therapeutic groups to help inmates address underlying issues that may have contributed to their criminal behavior. These groups include anger management, trauma, forgiveness, remorse, resentment, relaxation, and self-esteem.
The center also provides chemical dependency treatment and follows a cognitive-behavioral approach to help inmates develop coping skills, cognitive restructuring, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and communication styles.
Seeking Safety is another program offered at DWCRC that addresses PTSD and safe coping skills. Inmates are encouraged to take personal responsibility for their actions and develop motivation for change.
The center also offers skill enhancement programs to help inmates develop healthy relationships and stress management skills.
Overall, the programming offered at DWCRC is designed to help inmates address their underlying issues, develop important skills, and increase their chances of successfully reintegrating into society upon release.
Visitation
Dakota Women’s Correctional and Rehabilitation Center allows visitors to maintain contact with their loved ones who are incarcerated. Visits can be scheduled through the Visitation Scheduling Application (VSA) on the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation website.
Visiting Application
Before visiting an inmate at Dakota Women’s Correctional and Rehabilitation Center, visitors must complete a visiting application. The application can be found on the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation website. Visitors must submit the completed application to the facility where the inmate is housed. The application will be processed, and the visitor will be notified of their approval status.
Visiting Hours
Visiting hours at Dakota Women’s Correctional and Rehabilitation Center are Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 4 pm. Visitors should check the facility’s website or call the facility to confirm the visiting hours for the specific housing unit. It is important to note that visitors must arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled visit to allow time for check-in.
Visitors should also be aware that visits may be canceled due to facility operations, security concerns, or other unforeseen circumstances. It is recommended that visitors check the facility’s website or call the facility before arriving for a scheduled visit.
Physical Address
The physical address for Dakota Women’s Correctional and Rehabilitation Center is:
- Dakota Women’s Correctional and Rehabilitation Center, 440 McKenzie St., New England, ND 58647
Inmate Mailing Address
To send mail to an inmate at Dakota Women’s Correctional and Rehabilitation Center, use the following mailing address:
- Inmate Name and ID Number, Dakota Women’s Correctional and Rehabilitation Center, 440 McKenzie St., New England, ND 58647
It is important to include the inmate’s name and ID number in all correspondence. Visitors should also be aware that all incoming and outgoing mail is subject to inspection and may be rejected if it violates facility policy.
Community
The Dakota Women’s Correctional and Rehabilitation Center is committed to transforming lives, influencing change, and strengthening the community. The facility recognizes the importance of community involvement in the rehabilitation process, and as such, encourages family and friends to visit and maintain relationships with inmates.
Rehabilitation
The DWCRC offers a range of programs and services to support the rehabilitation process. Inmates have access to educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services. The facility also offers parenting classes and other life skills courses to help inmates successfully reintegrate into society.
The goal of these programs is to provide inmates with the skills and tools they need to successfully transition back into their communities. By focusing on rehabilitation, the DWCRC hopes to reduce recidivism rates and improve public safety.
Prison Industries
The DWCRC operates several prison industry programs, providing inmates with opportunities to gain valuable work experience and earn a wage. These programs include a garment factory, a print shop, and a sign shop. Inmates who participate in these programs gain valuable skills and experience that can help them secure employment after their release.
The prison industry programs also benefit the community by providing low-cost products and services. For example, the garment factory produces clothing and linens for state agencies, while the print shop produces business cards, letterhead, and other printed materials.
Overall, the DWCRC recognizes the importance of community involvement in the rehabilitation process and is committed to providing inmates with the tools and skills they need to successfully transition back into society. Through its programs and services, the facility hopes to reduce recidivism rates and improve public safety.