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DOCR seeks $23 million for planning, asks $35.6 million to finish women’s facility; site options debated
Summary
DOCR requested $23 million for design and planning of a proposed new facility (MRCC/600‑bed concept) and asked for $35.6 million to complete a new women's facility at the Youth Correctional Center campus. Lawmakers and the department discussed NDSP, MRCC and other site options and the importance of long‑range planning and legislative engagement.
DOCR presented multiple capital projects to the Appropriations — Human Resources Section, including a $23 million planning and design request for a proposed new adult facility and a remaining $35.6 million request to complete the women’s facility under construction at the Youth Correctional Center (YCC) campus.
Michelle Zander and Colby Braun said the $23 million planning package would fund a detailed needs assessment, alternatives analysis and design work so the department — working with outside architects and OMB — can present concrete construction options and cost estimates in later stages. The department said prior planning work (Moss Group, BWBR and more recent studies) provided a roadmap, but the MRCC/NDSP location question required additional study to avoid costly mid‑course changes.
Lawmakers pressed for legislative participation in the planning process. Chairman Nelson and other representatives said legislators will likely carry subsequent construction appropriations and asked to be involved in project scope and cost decisions. DOCR agreed that public and legislative engagement will be important, noting risks from prior projects that required later scope adjustments.
The committee also heard an update on the women’s facility being built at the YCC campus in Mandan. Zander said the session’s capital request includes an additional $35.6 million to complete the project; earlier funding provided $130 million and construction activity is underway with bids trending near expectations. The department said the project will move in two phases and anticipated ground‑breaking activity in the near term.
Committee members and DOCR staff discussed site trade‑offs for a larger new medium‑security unit: NDSP (State Penitentiary) campus offers shared service efficiencies and proximity to medical/inmate movement, but MRCC has been the historically preferred site and has different constraints, including floodplain fill and available acreage. The department said planners must balance operational efficiency, community acceptance and long‑term durability of any chosen site.
Ending: The committee asked DOCR to include legislative and local stakeholder engagement in the formal planning scope, and to return with a clearer public‑involvement timeline if the $23 million planning package is approved.
