West Unit

The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation maintains a searchable public database of all of the inmates they have in custody.

In addition, the offender search contains information about prisoners, parolees, and probationers who are currently under supervision, and who have been discharged. It also contains those inmates who have absconded, or escaped.

The actual prison that an inmate is assigned to depends on factors such as security classification, remaining time of their sentence, gang affiliation, and location of their residence.

The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation began in 1885, when the first state prison, North Dakota State Penitentiary, was built in Bismarck.

Today the state of North Dakota's Prison System maintains four state correctional facilities.

With a staff of 980 correctional workers, as of the end of 2023 they oversee approximately 1,400 inmates, with another 6,500 on parole and probation.

The following will explain the instructions, tricks and hacks you can use to find any inmate in custody with the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Inmate Search Instructions

The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation provides a limited amount of information you may want to know about any inmate in their system, however they do list every inmate. Inmates in custody have their crimes listed, as well as previous convictions. To look up an inmate, you need the full last name.  

• You can also list all inmates who share the same last name, or the same first name.
• You can also list all inmates who share the same first letter of the last name.

The first set of results if you used the full last name will list their Name, Offender Number (DIN), Date of Birth. Click on the linked ID Number or Name to get to the inmate's page.  

The inmate's page only has limited information, but does have the inmate's mugshot.

West Unit uses the services of JPAY for you to send money to an inmate's trust fund / commissary account. 



You can send money to an inmate/offender's commissary/spendable account through the Send Money page.
There are several ways to send money to an inmate/offender.

1. Online payments
2. Over the phone by calling 800-574-5729
3. MoneyGram  -  use the receive code 1304
4. If you wish to send cash you can use MoneyGram. MoneyGram has many convenient locations nationwide.
   The following establishments will always have MoneyGram services:
   Walmart
   7-11
   CVS Pharmacy

You will need:
Inmate's Correctional ID number and last name
The facility name or receive code.
You can visit the MoneyGram website to find locations near you.

        5. Money Order - Inmate's Name must be on the Money Order - 
           When sending money orders to JPay please use the Money Order Deposit Form (Formulario de depósito de giro postal).
           All of the boxes need to be filled out completely and correctly. If not, the money order will be returned to you.  
Send money orders payable to:
JPay
P.O. Box 822700
Pembroke Pines, FL 33082

        6. Lobby Kiosk
            You can use a debit or credit card in the lobby kiosk to send funds to an inmate/offender.

        7.  Use the app - Download the free app to send money anytime, anywhere

West Unit Inmate Visitation Information and Schedule

Step 1 - The Application

In order to visit an inmate, they must add you to their list of vistors, and you have to fill out an application and be approved. All visitor's names are checked with the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, North Dakota Parole and Probation, and local law enforcement authorities.

Anyone with open criminal charges or who have an active warrant for their arrest will not be allowed to visit. Anyone on parole or probation must first complete six months of video visitation (outlined below), after that time period the parole or probation officer must recommend visitation.

It takes 15 days to approve an application. The inmate is notified of the decision and it is their resp[onsibility to notify you.

Step 2 - The Visit

Once approved, it is important to review the shedule and rules for West Unit or whatever facility you are visiting.

Each resident has 20 hours of visitation for all in-person visits. Any visit over 10 minutes will be counted as one hour of visitation. These 20 hours of visitation do not include video visits. Video vists are detailed below.

All visitors over 16 must have a state or federal government issued photo ID. Children must be with an adult. If the child(ren) have a different last name than their legal guardian, the applicant must provide a birth certificate or legal guardianship paperwork.

Applicants can only list their own children on the visitation application or include custody papers along with their application. A Minor Visitation Application is needed if the child cannot be brought in by the parent or legal guardian. The form must be notarized and returned to visitation. Once we receive the application, it then has to be approved.

Anyone under 18 years old must be accompanied by an approved parent, legal guardian or designated person.

If the child(ren) have a different last name than their legal guardian, the applicant must provide a birth certificate or legal guardianship paperwork.

Dress non-seductive and professional.  Dress as if you were meeting someone's grandmother for the first time.

West Unit uses Securus Video Connect for Remote Inmate Video Visitation. 


Video Visitation allows 'approved' friends, family members, attorneys and clergy of an inmate to connect with them using their computer, Securus Video Visitation app, or ‘on-site’ kiosk. 

Steps:
Register and/or log in.
Select the facility of your inmate.
Review the days, available hours and the cost of remote and on-site visits.
Schedule your visit.

What is the Cost of a Remote Video Visit?
Costs vary and are subject to change, but generally visits range from $5.00 to $15.00 for a 15 to 30 minute online or on-site video visit.

How do you know if your Inmate will be available during the time you schedule?
The Securus system knows the times that West Unit inmates are available for remote video visits.
It will not allow you to schedule a visit with your inmate if they are not available or the video visitation kiosk(s) in the jail are booked already.
Once you schedule a visit with your inmate they will be notified of the date and time of the visit.

Important Tips:
Your entire visit is being monitored and recorded. Do not say or do anything that you would not want being replayed in court.
You should schedule your visit, in advance, at a time that works best for you.
For best sound quality, use earbuds or headsets.

Quick & Easy Access to Important Information & Help:
Phone: 972-734-1111 or 877-578-3658
Video Tutorial on Registering for Securus Video Visits.
Frequently Asked Questions.
West Unit Pricing.
Securus Contact Information.
iphone app
Android app

West Unit uses Securus Video Connect for Remote Inmate Video Visitation. 

Video Visitation allows 'approved' friends, family members, attorneys and clergy of an inmate to connect with them using their computer, Securus Video Visitation app, or ‘on-site’ kiosk. 

Steps:
Register and/or log in.
Select the facility of your inmate.
Review the days, available hours and the cost of remote and on-site visits.
Schedule your visit.

What is the Cost of a Remote Video Visit?
Costs vary and are subject to change, but generally visits range from $5.00 to $15.00 for a 15 to 30 minute online or on-site video visit.

How do you know if your Inmate will be available during the time you schedule?
The Securus system knows the times that West Unit inmates are available for remote video visits.
It will not allow you to schedule a visit with your inmate if they are not available or the video visitation kiosk(s) in the jail are booked already.
Once you schedule a visit with your inmate they will be notified of the date and time of the visit.

Important Tips:
Your entire visit is being monitored and recorded. Do not say or do anything that you would not want being replayed in court.
You should schedule your visit, in advance, at a time that works best for you.
For best sound quality, use earbuds or headsets.

Quick & Easy Access to Important Information & Help:
Phone: 972-734-1111 or 877-578-3658
Video Tutorial on Registering for Securus Video Visits.
Frequently Asked Questions.
West Unit Pricing.
Securus Contact Information.
iphone app
Android app

West Unit Inmate Telephone Instructions

The West Unit requires an inmate’s family and friends to complete and send in a Telephone Application to be added to a resident’s calling list.

All completed Telephone Applications must be sent to the Securus Digital Mail Center.

Inmate's full name and ID#
Securus Digital Mail Center - ND Department of Corrections
PO Box 21408
Tampa, FL 33622

New inmates get two free 5-minute phone calls. After that they have to go through Securus.

The West Unit Inmate Phone System is Securus. 

Sign up with Securus by clicking the banner below.

1.  AdvanceConnect – Good Option - You control all phone numbers your inmate can call.

This type of account offers you the following benefits:
•    You are able to receive inmate calls as long as funds are available in your account.
•    You can add multiple phone numbers to your account so your inmate can reach your home phone, work phone, cell phone, other relatives, neighbors, friends, etc.
•    Calls WILL connect to cell phones.

2.  Inmate Debit – Inmate can call anyone they choose (subject to jail's approval)

This type of account offers you the following benefits:
•    You can fund an Inmate Debit account without having your own calling account.
•    Inmates can call anyone on their approved calling list without requiring friends and family to create separate prepaid accounts.
•    Calls WILL connect to cell phones.
•    Funds placed in the Inmate Debit account will become the property of the inmate and friends & family members will not be able to receive refunds on this account. 

3. Direct Bill - You receive calls from your inmate, and the charges are billed to you monthly.

• Requires a credit check. 
• Costs more.
• Good for lawyers, bail bonds, long-term inmates, etc.

Resources
Contact Securus by Phone:  972-734-1111 or 800-844-6591
Contact Securus Online
Frequently Asked Questions
Submit a Question for Securus Online
Online Rate Quote

West Unit Inmate & Family Voicemail

Securus Outbound Voicemail provides your inmate an opportunity to leave a message for their family and friends when a call to their mobile goes unanswered. Once the inmate leaves a voicemail, a text message containing a link will be sent to the dialed number. The recipient of the inmate's voicemail is then sent to a web form to pay and listen to the message. The voicemail will be available for up to 30 days after it is sent, and then another 30 days after it is paid for.

Securus Phone System Cost & Fees - *Subject to Change

ADVANCE CONNECT Phone Calls 
$0.08 per minute

INMATE DEBIT Phone Calls
$0.08 per minute

DIRECT BILL Phone Calls
$0.08 per minute

TRADITIONAL COLLECT Phone Calls
$0.25 per minute

VOICEMAIL Message
One minute - $0.75 per minute

For current online rate quote, go here.

West Unit - Mailing an Inmate

All PERSONAL inmate mail is mailed to a third-party address, scanned and then sent digitally to an inmate.

Mail to:

Inmate's full name and ID#
Securus Digital Mail Center - ND Department of Corrections
PO Box 21408
Tampa, FL 33622

Facilities will continue to accept:

 - Legal Mail
-  Mail from other agencies (e.g., Child Support)
 - Visitation Applications
 - Certified Mail
 - Publications sent in directly from a publisher, distributor, or authorized retailer.

West Unit Inmate Mail Guidelines

Postcards
The West Unit allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature. It is best to only use blue or black ink. Always include your name and return address.

Envelopes
The West Unit also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates. It is best to only use blue or black ink.

Postcards and envelopes MUST HAVE the sender's full name and return address on the envelope. 

Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate's full name and ID#
Securus Digital Mail Center - ND Department of Corrections
PO Box 21408
Tampa, FL 33622

Legal Mail

Send all Legal Mail to these Addresses:

Residents at NDSP and MRCC should use this address:

                   Resident Name and Number
                   North Dakota State Penitentiary
                   P.O. Box 5521
                   Bismarck ND 58506-5521
                     
 

Residents at JRCC and JRMU should use this address:

         Resident Name and Number
         James River Correctional Center
         2521 Circle Drive                                                                    
         Jamestown ND 58401

        
Residents at HRCC should use this address:

Resident Name and Number
         Heart River Correctional Center
         701 16th Avenue Southwest
         Mandan, ND 58554

Newspapers
Newspapers may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher.

Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.

Books
The West Unit allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address noted.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the West Unit standards will be disposed of. 
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.

All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:

Residents at NDSP and MRCC should use this address:

                   Resident Name and Number
                   North Dakota State Penitentiary
                   P.O. Box 5521
                   Bismarck ND 58506-5521
                     
 

Residents at JRCC and JRMU should use this address:

         Resident Name and Number
         James River Correctional Center
         2521 Circle Drive                                                                    
         Jamestown ND 58401

        
Residents at HRCC should use this address:

Resident Name and Number
         Heart River Correctional Center
         701 16th Avenue Southwest
         Mandan, ND 58554

West Unit contracts with Access Securepak for families to send pre-determined packages of commissary items to your inmate.

Access Securepak carries over 1,000 different items in the following categories:
- Food and Snacks
- Personal Hygiene Products
- Electronics
- Apparel

Registration Process:
1. Register here.
2. Select North Dakota.
3. Select West Unit.
4. Find your Inmate.
5. Deposit Funds.
6. Order Commissary Items.
Once you are logged in, you will receive instructions on how much (and what products) you can send your inmate.
Contact Information:
* If you have any questions, you can call Access Securepak at 800-546-6283.
* You can email My Care Pack at customerservice@securepak.net.
* You can write them at:
    Access Securepak
    10880 Linpage Place
    St. Louis, MO 63132

* You can Live Chat with a Representative online: (bottom left corner of page)
   Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.–11 p.m. CST, 
   and Saturdays, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. CST.

*Note* Access Securepak will issue a refund for or replace broken, damaged, or missing products reported by West Unit staff. They will not honor reports of discrepancies from inmate's families or friends.
Access Securepak is the West Unit's outside vendor for Commissary Items. They have a very good mix of Chips, Snacks, Candy, Meat, Seafood, Hygiene products, Letter writing materials, Electronics and Apparel items for sale on their website.

Here is a sample of what you can purchase for your inmate:
Food

Hygiene

Apparel

Electronics

*NOTE* -- Once you are fully registered and have selected the inmate you wish to send commissary to, you will receive instructions on how much you can deposit, how much (and what) you can purchase for your inmate, and how often you can send commissary.

West Unit uses Securus eMessaging for Inmate Email.

Register here. (You are already registered if you signed up with Securus for 'Phone' or 'Remote Visitation').

Steps: 
1.  Sign up for eMessaging
2. Find your inmate.
3. Purchase a book of Securus ‘stamps’.
4. Type & Send message.

Things you CAN do:
1.  You CAN ONLY send messages from the Securus website, or with the Securus app. (links below).
2. You CAN transfer ‘stamps’ to your inmate.
3. You CAN deposit money to your inmate, and they can purchase ‘stamps’ on their end.
4. Each time you send a message, you CAN pay for them to reply.
5. You CAN send photos. (Jail staff will review for appropriateness) 

Things you CANNOT do:
1.  You CANNOT use your own personal email to send messages.
2. You CANNOT send any message or photo that would normally be rejected by regular mail.

Other Things:
1.  Photos must be .jpg, .jpeg or .png.
2. eMessages and photos must meet the jail’s standards for regular mail.
3. If your eMessage or Photo is rejected you will be notified of the reason, but you will NOT get a refund.

What is the cost of sending inmate messages?

• Send a text Message - 1 stamp
• Purchase a reply for your inmate - 1 stamp
• Attach up to 5 photos - 1 stamp each photo
• Share up to 5 eCards - 1 stamp each eCard
• Send just a photo with no text - 1 stamp
• Send a 30 second VideoGram - 3 stamps

What can your inmate do with digital 'stamps'?

• Reply to your eMessage if you attach a return stamp
• Receive transferred stamps you share with them (no cost to transfer)
• When available, they can purchase their own stamps from their Inmate Debit Account

Contact Information and Help:
eMessaging FAQ  
eMessaging Signup & Helpful Information  
Online Customer Service Support 
Phone Support: 972-734-1111 or 800-844-6591
iphone app
Android app

Mailing Check payments
Securus Correctional Billing Services
PO Box 650757
Dallas, Texas 75265-075

West Unit now offers Securus 'SecureView' Tablet Rentals to their inmates.

  
Securus is the same company that handles the inmate phone system, video visitations, email and texting and digital letters.

The tablets can be rented on a monthly basis and while not directly connected to the internet, the inmates can use them for the following activities:

• Phone Calls - Inmates may make calls directly from their tablet allowing for more privacy. The rates are the same as the phones in the unit, and the calls are still recorded and monitored.
• eMessaging - Communicate via a text based message or picture. Fee based system.
• Job Search - Using JobView, a secure job search application, inmates have the ability to see what jobs are available when they are released.
• Education - Free educational platform and course catalog that provides thousands of educational resources.
• Self Help -Inmates have daily access to mental health and addiction recovery programming.
• Music - Top-40, Hip-Hop, Country, Rock, Gospel, and more.
• Law Library -  Legal research with up-to-date case information.
• eBooks - Thousands of available titles.
• Religion - Religious resources for spiritual guidance.
• Games - Inmates can play their favorite games. Available through monthly subscriptions
• Facility Services - Digital access to submitted forms, requests, facility documents, and notifications from staff.

Here's how it works:

• Register here.  It is recommended you use Chrome or Firefox.
• Pay for the subscription using Paypal.
• You get charged the 1st of each month. 
• You get charged a full month even if it's only used for a partial month.
• No activation or early termination fees.
• Your inmate will receive their tablet in 3-5 business days, after you pay.

Questions:

• By phone - 800-844-6591 or 972-734-1111.
• By email - tablets@securustech.net

Once an inmate is convicted and sentenced for a violation of that state’s felony laws (and their sentence is more than one year in length), they are moved from the City or County Jail and sent to a State Prison in North Dakota. If the violation they are convicted of is a federal crime, they will be sent to a Federal Prison, but will not necessarily be doing their time in North Dakota.

North Dakota State Prisons are operated and maintained by the state government and are used to confine and rehabilitate criminals. State prisons are funded by state tax money. The fund is used to provide food and clothes to inmates and to hire employees to keep the prison running. Inmates in state prison enjoy certain privileges such as TV use and recreation, both indoor and outdoor. The number of privileges allowed depends on the security level of the prison, the inmate and the overall needs of the prison on a specific day.

North Dakota has minimum, medium and maximum security prisons. The Corrections Department in North Dakota also maintains low (or no) security residential settings and camps where inmates assist in state property maintenance and duties such as fighting fires. Almost all prisons provide ‘jobs’ where an inmate can earn a small hourly wage and even learn a trade. Some prisons even contract with call centers and handle phone calls on issues related to their state government. Criminals who have committed a violent crime or killed someone are likely housed in a maximum security prison. If the inmate in these prisons behave, they are also eligible to recreate and/or work as well.

In North Dakota Prisons rehabilitation is the stated goal but the reality is that they exist to punish inmates for their crimes and keep them from hurting or harming innocent people on the outside who follow the laws and live and act responsibly. The fact is that most prison systems are underfunded, overcrowded and are not able to spend time and money rehabilitating offenders. This is not the fault of the people hired to work in prisons, they are just victims of the lack of resources due to budgeting constraints.

State Inmate

Most states have Department of Corrections websites that allow you to type in a felon's first and last name and pull up inmates in that state.

If you need to find a sentenced inmate serving time in a state other than North Dakota, go here. To find an inmate in North Dakota, just scroll to the top of the page and click on the Inmate Search button.

Once you locate them click next to the inmate's name or on the link provided and it will show you which prison the inmate is housed in. If the inmate is no longer incarcerated, but is on parole/probation or discharged, it will tell you that as well. In addition, many state prison inmate pages show recent mug shots.

Federal Inmate

The federal prison system has its own inmate locator called the Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator.

Type in the inmate's name and it will tell you where he or she is incarcerated and their projected release date. It also lists released federal prison inmates and the date they were released.

Federal inmates who are moved from one prison to another will show as "No longer in federal custody" on the system until they reach their next federal prison destination. This movement can take a few days to several months to complete, so keep checking back to find out where the inmate was taken.

ICE Inmates

The ICE Detainee Lookup allows friends, family members and interested parties to locate illegal and/or undocumented immigrants that are in the United States without permission.

Has the Inmate been recently arrested?... Try a County Jail

In many cases, the person you are looking for has either not been convicted or sentenced or has been sentenced and is awaiting transport to a State or Federal Prison and is still incarcerated in a City or County Jail.

To locate that person, go here to first find the State, and then the County where they were originally arrested or have been transported to. From there you can begin your search in our databases that contain the names and information of millions of inmates.

Jailexchange.com has all information on every jail and prison in the United States.