North Dakota reentry is built around a multi-agency partnership that is more operationally integrated than most states. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) collaborate directly on pre-release Medicaid enrollment. HHS sends team members into correctional facilities to establish connections before release. North Dakota's Commissioner for Recovery and Reentry -- Jonathan Holth, the first person to hold this position -- coordinates across agencies to make reintegration more coherent.
The most distinctive program in North Dakota's system is Free Through Recovery (FTR): a statewide community behavioral health program jointly administered by DOCR and HHS, serving 1,528 active participants as of June 2025 through 42 nonprofit providers, with each participant receiving a multidisciplinary care team of a probation or parole officer, a care coordinator, and a peer support specialist.
Here is how the system works and what you need to do.
What DOCR Provides at Release
The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR, docr.nd.gov) provides reentry planning and community resource connections coordinated through DOCR Reentry Manager Robyn Schmalenberger and Community Resource Manager Travis Collins.
Resource fairs inside facilities: DOCR Community Resource Manager Travis Collins regularly hosts resource fairs inside correctional facilities, connecting individuals with housing, employment, healthcare, and recovery service providers before release -- establishing relationships and access before the gate opens.
HHS engagement inside facilities: North Dakota HHS sends team members into correctional facilities to establish early connections with individuals, increasing the likelihood of post-release follow-through with programs including Medicaid, SNAP, and behavioral health services.
NDDOT partnership: The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) is named as a reentry partner for returning citizens who need to address driver's license issues post-release.
Job Service North Dakota (JSND): Provides career readiness classes inside facilities including resume building, interview techniques, and strategies for addressing criminal history with employers.
Shining Light Academy: Faith-based reentry programming at Missouri River Correctional Center; DOCR Director Colby Braun participates with cohort graduations.
Commissioner of Recovery and Reentry: Jonathan Holth was appointed as North Dakota's first Commissioner for Recovery and Reentry, coordinating statewide reentry and recovery initiatives across DOCR, HHS, and community partners.
Getting Your North Dakota State ID or Driver's License
North Dakota state IDs and driver's licenses are issued by the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT, dot.nd.gov/divisions/drivinglicenses).
If your ID was not processed before release, visit any NDDOT driver's license office. You will need documents establishing your identity, Social Security number, and North Dakota residency. Standard documents include a birth certificate or passport, your Social Security card, and proof of a North Dakota address. Your DOCR release documentation serves as a supporting identity document.
Driver's license issues: If you have a suspended license due to unpaid fines, fees, or missed court dates, ask your case manager about NDDOT partnership resources, or contact Legal Services of North Dakota (legalassist.org) for free assistance.
Getting Your Social Security Card
If your Social Security card was not obtained before release, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213, apply online at ssa.gov, or visit your nearest SSA office. Replacement cards are free. Bring your state ID and birth certificate.
Ask your case manager whether your facility has a prerelease SSA agreement allowing the card replacement and benefit application process to begin up to 90 days before release.
Getting Your Birth Certificate
If you were born in North Dakota, request a certified copy from the North Dakota Department of Health Vital Records at vitalrecords.nd.gov or by calling (701) 328-2360. The fee is currently $7 per copy -- one of the lowest in the country.
If you were born in another state, contact that state's vital records office. Start this process early -- out-of-state requests can take time and delay your ID process.
Medicaid in North Dakota
North Dakota expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Low-income adults who meet income requirements are generally eligible for North Dakota Medicaid after release. North Dakota Medicaid is administered by HHS (hhs.nd.gov).
Pre-release enrollment: Through a collaboration between DOCR and HHS, incarcerated individuals can apply for Medicaid before their release. HHS staff go into facilities to establish connections and initiate enrollment before release. This ensures uninterrupted access to essential medical and behavioral health services after release.
The 2024 North Dakota Justice Reinvestment Initiative Reentry Study Work Group Report (26 recommendations, October 2024) recommended automating Medicaid reactivation at release to reduce wait times and improve health outcomes. Ask your case manager or the HHS staff member who visits your facility whether your Medicaid application has been submitted and what its status is.
Apply for Medicaid through North Dakota HHS at hhs.nd.gov or by calling 1-800-755-2716.
Free Through Recovery (FTR)
Free Through Recovery (FTR) is North Dakota's statewide community-based behavioral health program for justice-involved individuals with behavioral health needs. Launched statewide in 2018 and funded through the North Dakota Legislature ($7 million under SB 2015 + $500,000 for provider network expansion), FTR is jointly administered by DOCR and HHS.
Key features:
Each participant receives a multidisciplinary care team: a probation or parole officer, a care coordinator, and a peer support specialist. This team creates a single integrated plan aligning supervision requirements with behavioral health goals.
42 nonprofit providers serve participants statewide, including in rural and Tribal communities.
1,528 active participants as of June 18, 2025.
The program network includes faith-based organizations, peer-run organizations, culturally specific providers, brain injury specialists, young adult specialists, and other community partners.
Monthly outcome tracking covers housing, employment, recovery progress, and criminal justice involvement.
FTR serves people who are on probation or parole with behavioral health concerns. If you are nearing release with a substance use disorder or mental health condition, ask your DOCR case manager or supervision officer about FTR eligibility.
SNAP: Food Assistance
North Dakota has no drug conviction SNAP ban. People with drug felony convictions are eligible for SNAP subject to standard income and eligibility requirements.
Apply for SNAP through North Dakota HHS at hhs.nd.gov or by calling 1-800-755-2716. You will need to verify identity, residency, income, and household composition.
Voting Rights in North Dakota
North Dakota restores voting rights upon completion of your sentence, including any period of probation or parole. Once all supervision is complete, your voting rights are restored automatically. You do not need to apply for restoration.
Register to vote at vote.nd.gov or contact the North Dakota Secretary of State's office (sos.nd.gov). Contact Legal Services of North Dakota (legalassist.org) if you have questions about your specific eligibility.
DOCR and ND Reentry Resources
DOCR Reentry (docr.nd.gov/adult-services/reentry): Reentry planning; resource fairs inside facilities; HHS engagement inside facilities; JSND career readiness; NDDOT driver's license partnership; Shining Light Academy.
North Dakota HHS (hhs.nd.gov; 1-800-755-2716): Medicaid and SNAP applications; pre-release enrollment collaboration with DOCR; HHS staff inside facilities.
Free Through Recovery (FTR, docr.nd.gov/programs/free-through-recovery): Statewide behavioral health program for justice-involved individuals; DOCR and HHS joint administration; 42 providers; 1,528 participants; multidisciplinary care team model.
Commissioner of Recovery and Reentry (Jonathan Holth): Statewide reentry and recovery coordination; contact through DOCR.
Job Service North Dakota (jsnd.com): Career readiness classes inside facilities; employment support post-release.
NDDOT (dot.nd.gov/divisions/drivinglicenses): State ID and driver's license; reentry partner.
ND Vital Records (vitalrecords.nd.gov; 701-328-2360): Birth certificates; currently $7 per copy.
Legal Services of North Dakota (legalassist.org): Free civil legal assistance for eligible low-income North Dakotans, including benefit access, housing rights, and driver's license issues.
211 North Dakota (nd211.org; dial 211): Statewide referrals to housing, food, health, and social services by county.
Social Security Administration (ssa.gov; 1-800-772-1213): SSI and SSDI applications; SSA Reentry Benefits at ssa.gov/reentry/benefits.htm.
Frequently asked questions
Does DOCR help with Medicaid before release in ND?
Yes. Through a formal collaboration between DOCR and HHS, incarcerated individuals can apply for Medicaid before their release. HHS sends staff into facilities to initiate Medicaid enrollment before release. Ask your case manager or the HHS staff member at your facility whether your Medicaid application has been submitted and what its status is.
Can I get Medicaid after prison in North Dakota?
Yes. North Dakota expanded Medicaid and low-income adults are generally eligible. Apply through HHS at hhs.nd.gov or call 1-800-755-2716. DOCR and HHS collaborate on pre-release enrollment. If you have a substance use disorder or mental health condition, ask your case manager about Free Through Recovery (FTR) eligibility to receive a care coordinator and peer support specialist as part of your post-release supervision.
What is Free Through Recovery in North Dakota?
Free Through Recovery (FTR) is a statewide community-based behavioral health program jointly administered by DOCR and HHS, launched in 2018. It serves justice-involved individuals with behavioral health needs through 42 nonprofit providers across North Dakota, including rural and Tribal communities. As of June 2025, FTR served 1,528 active participants. Each participant receives a multidisciplinary care team -- a probation or parole officer, a care coordinator, and a peer support specialist -- who create one integrated plan aligning supervision requirements with behavioral health goals. Eligibility is based on behavioral health needs and justice involvement (probation or parole). Ask your DOCR supervision officer or case manager about FTR enrollment.
Can I get SNAP benefits after prison in North Dakota?
Yes. North Dakota has no drug conviction SNAP ban. People with drug felony convictions are eligible for SNAP subject to standard income and eligibility requirements. Apply through HHS at hhs.nd.gov or call 1-800-755-2716.
Can I vote after prison in North Dakota?
Voting rights are restored automatically upon completion of your full sentence, including any period of probation or parole. Once all supervision ends, you can register to vote at vote.nd.gov. No waiting period or petition is required. Contact Legal Services of North Dakota (legalassist.org) or the ND Secretary of State (sos.nd.gov) if you have questions about your eligibility.
How do I get my birth certificate in North Dakota?
If you were born in North Dakota, request a certified copy from the North Dakota Department of Health Vital Records at vitalrecords.nd.gov or by calling (701) 328-2360. The current fee is $7 per copy. Ask your DOCR case manager whether the facility can assist with this before release. If you were born in another state, contact that state's vital records office early -- out-of-state requests take time.
How do I replace my Social Security card in ND?
Contact SSA at 1-800-772-1213, apply online at ssa.gov, or visit your nearest SSA office. Replacement cards are free. Bring your state ID and birth certificate. Ask your case manager whether your facility has a prerelease SSA agreement allowing this to begin up to 90 days before release. SSA reentry benefits information is at ssa.gov/reentry/benefits.htm.
What is the ND Justice Reinvestment reentry report?
The North Dakota Justice Reinvestment Initiative Reentry Study Work Group Report was issued in October 2024 after a year-long review of statewide prison and community supervision data. The Work Group -- convening through fall 2023 and meeting five times through 2024 -- produced 26 comprehensive recommendations. Key recommendations affecting ID and benefits include automating Medicaid reactivation at release to reduce wait times and improve health outcomes, and establishing data sharing infrastructure with HHS to implement CAA 2023 requirements. The report was produced in collaboration with the Crime and Justice Institute and is publicly available.
What benefits can I apply for after release in ND?
Medicaid through HHS (hhs.nd.gov; 1-800-755-2716) -- pre-release enrollment available through DOCR and HHS collaboration. SNAP through HHS -- drug convictions do not bar you. Free Through Recovery (FTR) for behavioral health needs while on supervision. SSI or SSDI through SSA (1-800-772-1213) if you qualify through age or disability. Veterans' benefits through the VA if applicable. Job Service North Dakota (jsnd.com) for employment and career readiness. 211 ND (dial 211 or nd211.org) for county housing, food, and social service referrals.
What reentry resources does DOCR provide?
DOCR (docr.nd.gov) provides: resource fairs inside facilities connecting individuals with housing, employment, healthcare, and recovery service providers before release; HHS engagement inside facilities for Medicaid, SNAP, and behavioral health pre-enrollment; JSND career readiness classes inside facilities; NDDOT partnership for driver's license issues; Shining Light Academy faith-based programming at Missouri River Correctional Center; and Free Through Recovery (FTR) for behavioral health-involved individuals on supervision. Commissioner Jonathan Holth coordinates statewide reentry and recovery across agencies. Legal Services of ND (legalassist.org) provides free legal help. 211 ND (nd211.org, dial 211) provides county referrals. ---