The Heart River Correctional Center is a minimum-security prison facility located in Mandan, North Dakota. The center was established in 2021 and is designed to hold women who have been convicted of low-level offenses. The facility is co-located with the Youth Correctional Center campus, but the women are kept separate from the youth.
The primary focus of the Heart River Correctional Center is to help women successfully reintegrate with their families and communities. The facility achieves this by providing person-centered programming that addresses each woman’s unique needs. The programming includes education and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services. The facility also offers parenting classes, family therapy, and reentry planning to help women transition back into society.
| Security | Minimum |
| Capacity | 57 |
| Physical Address | Heart River Correctional Center 701 16th Avenue Southwest Mandan, ND 58554 |
| Mailing Address | Heart River Correctional Center 701 16th Avenue Southwest Mandan, ND 58554 |
| Can You Send a Gift? | No |
| Visitation Hours | Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 am – 11:30 am |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (701) 667-1400 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
History
Establishment
Heart River Correctional Center (HRCC) is a relatively new correctional facility in North Dakota, built to house minimum security women. The center opened its doors on June 15, 2021, in Mandan, North Dakota. HRCC shares services with the Youth Correctional Center campus, while the women maintain sight and sound separation from the youth.
The Heart River Correctional Center project was included in House Bill 1015, of the 68th Legislative Assembly. The project was initiated to reintegrate women with their families and communities by providing person-centered services and programs.
Expansion
As of 2023, there are no plans to expand the Heart River Correctional Center. However, the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is committed to providing quality services to the women in their care.
The Missouri River Correctional Center, located four miles southwest of Bismarck, was first established in the 1940s as the State Farm and houses minimum low and community custody men. The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is responsible for the operation of both facilities.
Overall, the Heart River Correctional Center serves a vital role in the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s efforts to promote public safety and reduce recidivism.
Facilities
Heart River Correctional Center is a state-of-the-art facility designed to provide a safe and secure environment for women inmates while also offering a range of programs and services to support their rehabilitation and reintegration into society. The facility is co-located with the Youth Correctional Center campus, with sight and sound separation from the youth.
Medical Facilities
The Heart River Correctional Center has a medical unit staffed by licensed nurses and a physician assistant. The medical staff provides basic medical care and medication management, as well as specialized care for chronic conditions and mental health issues. The facility also has a dental clinic, which provides routine dental care and emergency dental services as needed.
Residential Mission
The Heart River Correctional Center provides a range of residential services to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates. The facility has several housing units, each with a unique mission and focus. The units are designed to provide a safe and secure living environment while also fostering a sense of community and promoting personal growth and development.
Cottages
The cottages at Heart River Correctional Center are designed to provide a home-like environment for inmates. The cottages are furnished with comfortable furniture, and each inmate has their own private bedroom. The cottages also have communal living areas, including a kitchen, dining area, and living room.
Inmates in the cottage program are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of their living space, cooking their own meals, and participating in group activities and programs. The cottage program is designed to promote personal responsibility and self-sufficiency while also providing a supportive community environment.
In summary, Heart River Correctional Center provides a range of facilities and services designed to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of women inmates. The medical facilities, residential mission, and cottage program are just a few examples of the programs and services offered at the facility. The goal of the facility is to provide a safe and secure environment while also promoting personal growth and development so that inmates can successfully reintegrate into society upon release.
Inmate Population
The Heart River Correctional Center is a co-located facility that shares services with the Youth Correctional Center campus. The facility focuses on successfully reintegrating women with their families and communities by providing person-centered programs and services. The facility opened its doors to minimum custody women on June 15, 2021, in Mandan, North Dakota.
Female Inmates
The Women’s Correctional and Rehabilitation Center is a separate facility on the same campus that houses medium and maximum-security female inmates. The facility provides a range of programs and services, including education, vocational training, and substance abuse treatment. The facility also has a focus on providing gender-responsive programming to meet the unique needs of female inmates.
At HRCC, women are housed in minimum custody dorms and are provided with access to programs and services that help them transition back into their communities. The facility provides education, vocational training, and life skills programming. Women at HRCC can also participate in substance abuse treatment and other therapeutic programming.
Juvenile Population
The Youth Correctional Center is a separate facility on the same campus that houses juvenile offenders. The facility provides a range of services, including education, vocational training, and mental health treatment. The facility has a focus on providing evidence-based programming that helps youth transition back into their communities.
HRCC maintains sight and sound separation from the youth facility, and women at HRCC do not have contact with the juvenile population. However, the facility does provide access to programs and services that can help women who have experienced trauma or other adverse childhood experiences.
Overall, HRCC provides a range of programs and services to help women transition back into their communities. The facility is focused on providing person-centered programming that meets the unique needs of each individual.
Rehabilitation Programs
The Heart River Correctional Center is committed to successfully reintegrating women with their families and communities by providing person-centered rehabilitation programs. HRCC offers a variety of programming and clinical treatment to help women address the root causes of their criminal behavior and develop the skills necessary to live a productive and law-abiding life upon release.
Programming
HRCC offers a variety of non-clinical programming to help women develop the cognitive and behavioral skills necessary to successfully reintegrate into their communities. These programs are delivered by volunteers and HRCC staff members, including security staff, unit staff, teachers, and administrators. For some non-clinical programs, incarcerated individuals co-facilitate the program alongside staff in a collaborative effort.
Some of the non-clinical programs offered at HRCC include:
- Life Skills: This program teaches women practical skills such as budgeting, time management, and communication that are essential for success in the community.
- Parenting: This program helps women strengthen their parenting skills and develop healthy relationships with their children.
- Substance Abuse: This program helps women overcome addiction and develop strategies for maintaining sobriety upon release.
Treatment
HRCC also offers clinical treatment to address the underlying issues that contribute to criminal behavior. Clinical treatment is delivered by licensed professionals and includes individual and group therapy, as well as medication-assisted treatment for substance abuse disorders.
Some of the clinical treatment programs offered at HRCC include:
- Mental Health: This program provides individual and group therapy to women with mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: This program helps women identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to criminal behavior.
- Medication-Assisted Treatment: This program provides medication to women with substance abuse disorders to help manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
Overall, HRCC’s rehabilitation programs are designed to help women develop the skills and tools necessary to successfully reintegrate into their communities and lead productive, law-abiding lives.
Community Involvement
The Heart River Correctional Center in Mandan, North Dakota, has a strong focus on community involvement to help successfully reintegrate women with their families and communities. HRCC collaborates with various organizations to provide person-centered rehabilitative programs and services that cater to the unique needs of each individual.
Heart River Bridges of Hope
One of the organizations HRCC partners with is Heart River Bridges of Hope. This nonprofit organization provides support and resources to women who are transitioning from incarceration back into the community. They offer assistance with housing, employment, education, and more. HRCC works closely with Bridges of Hope to ensure that women leaving the facility have access to the resources they need to succeed.
Ministry
HRCC also has a ministry program that partners with local churches to provide spiritual guidance and support to the women at the facility. The program offers Bible studies, worship services, and one-on-one counseling. This partnership with the local faith community helps to provide a sense of belonging and support to the women at HRCC.
In addition to these partnerships, HRCC also offers various volunteer opportunities for community members to get involved. These opportunities include mentoring, tutoring, and teaching life skills classes. By involving the community in the rehabilitation process, HRCC is able to provide a more holistic approach to helping women successfully reintegrate into society.
Overall, HRCC’s commitment to community involvement is an essential part of its mission to provide person-centered rehabilitative programs and services. By partnering with organizations and individuals in the Bismarck-Mandan area, HRCC is able to provide a supportive and nurturing environment for women to successfully reintegrate back into their communities.
Visitation
Visiting an inmate at Heart River Correctional Center is an important way to show support and maintain family ties. However, visitors must follow certain policies to ensure safety and security.
Visitation hours are Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Visitation Policies
Visitors must be on the inmate’s approved visitation list and provide a valid photo ID. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and provide a birth certificate or school ID. Visitors are subject to search, and any prohibited items will be confiscated. These items include weapons, drugs, tobacco products, and electronic devices.
Visitation hours vary depending on the inmate’s housing unit, and visitors should check with the facility for specific times. In general, visits are limited to two hours, and visitors are not allowed to bring in food or drink.
Heart River Correctional Center also has a dress code for visitors. Clothing that is revealing, provocative, or gang-affiliated is not allowed. Visitors should wear modest, comfortable clothing that is appropriate for a correctional facility.
Inmates are allowed a limited number of visitors per visitation day, and visits may be canceled due to facility operations or disciplinary reasons. Visitors should call ahead to confirm the visitation schedule and ensure the inmate is still eligible for visits.
Overall, following the visitation policies at Heart River Correctional Center is crucial to maintain a safe and secure environment for inmates, staff, and visitors.