Find North Dakota Inmate Records

North Dakota inmate records are official documents that chronicle the activities of persons under confinement in state incarceration facilities. Federal or local law enforcement agencies usually manage or operate these facilities. The former is under the North Dakota Department of Corrections' watch and houses state prisoners serving time because of a conviction. County or city-based facilities are jails that hold persons awaiting or undergoing trial. They also have persons serving time for misdemeanors. At the point of the arrest, the facility fills out extensive paperwork, and the authorities may monitor the inmate's progress and update their records accordingly.

Are Incarceration Records Public Information in North Dakota?

Incarceration records are open to the public under the Public Records Law. However, records of case histories are exempt from public access. The same goes for documents under the health record exemptions and all records under seal. Juvenile incarceration records are typically closed to public access.

Accessing public records is a right afforded under state transparency statutes. However, the methods of retrieval differ. Government agencies maintain official custody of such documents while third-party websites frequently serve as supplementary tools. These platforms compile information from multiple jurisdictions and remove some of the logistical barriers that come with contacting each agency individually. The convenience of these databases lies in their search functions, which allow users to locate records across city, county, or state lines. Typically, the search process requires details like the individual's name, provided they are not a minor, and the jurisdiction where the record is likely held. While beneficial, these third-party services operate outside government oversight, which introduces variability in record coverage. Some may have extensive databases, while others might lack recent updates or omit specific record categories altogether.

What Information is Contained in a North Dakota Inmate Record?

Inmate records generally contain basic identifying information and details of the charges and convictions associated with the inmate. Some details featured in these records include:

• Date of admission into the facility;
• Rehabilitation programs undergone by the inmate;
• Period of the sentence;
• Projected date of release, or parole where applicable;
• Progress reports;
• Disciplinary actions of the authorities imposed on a violating inmate;
• Certifications and achievements earned while in confinement.

Where do I Look Up an Inmate in North Dakota?

North Dakota residents and other interested persons may begin searching for an inmate by locating the court of jurisdiction on the case. The inmate's case files typically contain the sentence and the location of the facility. They are available to view, provided there are no court or statutory restrictions on access.

The law enforcement agencies also keep records of arrests and incarceration. In an arrest case, the records of the Sheriff or Police Department should state if the arrestee is in custody.

If the location of the jail or prison is unknown, track the address through the relevant database. Use the "look up a resident" tab for state prisons to track the offender's location. For jails, go to the official city or county website and follow the address of the inmate.

How Do I Conduct an Inmate Search in North Dakota?

Before starting any search in North Dakota, prepare the full names of the inmate. Contact the jail officer through the provided telephone number on the county or city website. An example is Cass County. Usually, the inmate gets incarcerated in the jail facility of the town where they got arrested. The same applies to persons confined during the trial: the court shares the exact location where the offender is incarcerated. If there are exceptions to the rule, the law enforcement agency with the arrest warrant can give directions. For state prisons, inquirers may query the relevant office at:

3100 Railroad Avenue
P.O. Box 1898
Bismarck ND 58502
Phone: (701) 328–6390
Fax: (701) 328–6651

Interested persons may obtain physical inmate records in one of two ways. The first is to go to the North Dakota Department of Corrections Website and search for the resident. Searches typically require only the first three letters of the inmate's name. A search usually returns a mugshot image, the inmate's full name, date of birth, expected date of release, and the facility's name. Print out this page if the information is sufficient. If it is not, or a certified copy is necessary, parties can request what is needed in person or writing. Charges may apply for physician copies.

How Can I Find an Inmate for Free in North Dakota?

In North Dakota, viewing physical records or having electronic access to them is Free. However, the cost of logistics such as transport or mail delivery and the labor of producing copies, as charged by the custodian agency, all represent charges involved in copying prison records.

How to Find Old Inmate Records in North Dakota

The State Historical Society of North Dakota maintains archived file copies of inmate information. Although the agency typically welcomes requests from interested parties, it is better to route them through the NDDOC. Record requests may be addressed to:

612 East Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck ND 58505
Inquirers may call (701) 328–2666 or send an email to contact the NDDOC.

Inmate Release Date Lookup In North Dakota

The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR) maintains inmate release information in its online database. Release dates depend on parole eligibility, sentence reductions, or other administrative changes.

How do I Find Inmate Death Records in North Dakota?

North Dakota abolished the death penalty in 1973. Records of earlier executions still exist with the facility where the event occurred. Because of the grave nature of the execution, it is public information accessible through third-party websites. It is, however, essential to verify the details provided by them.

The NDDOC files all cases of inmate deaths during imprisonment among inmates to the state's vital records office while holding primary documents of the same information. If the details of the inmate are available, contact the facility where the event occurred.

How do I Conduct a Federal Prison Inmate Search?

Inquirers may utilize the Inmate Locator on the Bureau of Prisons website to conduct a federal prison inmate search. There are two ways to search for an inmate here: by name and by number. Number searches return more accurate results because each inmate identification number is unique to the individual assigned to it. Four federal agencies assign these numbers:

• The Federal Bureau of Investigation
• The Bureau of Prisons
• Immigration and Naturalization Service
• DC Department of Corrections

Data of persons who have served sentences are available up to 100 years ago.

How Long Does it Take For An Inmate's Information to Be Published in North Dakota Inmate Locator?

Booking after an arrest is a straightforward process, usually taking only two hours. The inmate database gets updated at any moment from then. The commitment of a convict to serve a sentence is much more complicated. It takes weeks, sometimes months, to complete the admission process book for the inmate. Some processes involved are extensive health and mental assessments, determining the custody level, and an inmate's orientation exercise.

Why Is An Inmate Not Showing Up In Search?

The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation may delay posting inmate information while intake or transfer processing is completed. Juveniles and individuals subject to court-ordered privacy restrictions are not displayed in public databases. Inmates held in county facilities or federal custody may not appear in the state system. Searches entered with incomplete or inaccurate details, such as spelling errors in the inmate's name, often lead to missing results.