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ARTICLE BODY
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Parole and Probation in North Dakota
If someone you love is on parole or probation in North Dakota, or if you have just gotten out and are trying to understand what is expected of you, this guide is written for both of you. North Dakota has an active Parole Board that makes discretionary release decisions for state prisoners, and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's Parole and Probation Services supervises everyone in the community whether they are on parole or probation - through the same officers at the same 17 district offices. Probation conditions are set by the courts; parole conditions are set by the board. But the person showing up to supervise you is the same type of officer in both cases. Understanding the roles of each part of the system is where to start.
Parole vs. probation: what is the difference
These two words describe different situations with different controlling authorities, but in North Dakota the same DOCR division supervises both.
Probation is a sentence the court imposes as an alternative to incarceration. The sentencing court sets all conditions. DOCR's Parole and Probation Services supervises the person in the field. A probation violation goes back to the sentencing court.
Parole is discretionary early release from a state prison sentence, granted by the North Dakota Parole Board. The board sets all conditions. DOCR's Parole and Probation Services supervises the person in the field. A parole violation goes back to the Parole Board.
North Dakota keeps court authority and parole board authority structurally separate. Probation conditions are controlled by the court; parole conditions are controlled by the board. But the officers who do the day-to-day supervision work for the same DOCR division.
How to find someone in North Dakota
The North Dakota DOCR provides a free online Resident Lookup at docr.nd.gov, searchable by last name only. The results show the offender's ID, name, and date of birth; clicking into a record provides more detail including facility location, sentence information, and parole eligibility status. The DOCR number is the identifier assigned to each person in the system.
This search covers only people currently incarcerated in a North Dakota DOCR facility. It does not include people held in county correctional facilities, people incarcerated out of state on behalf of DOCR, federal inmates, or county detainees. If someone was recently sentenced and transferred, it may take 24 to 48 hours for the record to appear.
For assistance beyond the online lookup, call the DOCR at (701) 328-6390 during business hours.
For county jail inmates, each of North Dakota's 53 counties operates its own jail under the county sheriff. Many counties publish their own inmate rosters online. Contact the county sheriff directly for county-held individuals.
The North Dakota Parole Board also publishes monthly parole results on the DOCR website, listing cases reviewed and decisions made, including each person's state ID, DOCR number, and full name. A Parole Release Dashboard on the DOCR website provides interactive information on how parole sentences are completed statewide.
How parole works in North Dakota
The North Dakota Parole Board has authority over parole decisions under Chapter 12-59 of the North Dakota Century Code. It grants parole, sets conditions of release, and handles parole revocation matters. Parole is discretionary and not guaranteed; eligibility is determined by DOCR based on the person's sentence and applicable statutes.
North Dakota uses indeterminate sentencing, meaning sentences have a maximum term. Good time is earned at the rate of 5 days per month under standard DOCR performance criteria. Additional meritorious sentence reductions may be awarded for outstanding performance, beneficial suggestions, or heroic acts. These credits affect when a person becomes eligible for parole consideration. Recent public discussion has focused on how good time credits are calculated in practice; families following eligibility timelines should verify the current calculations with DOCR directly.
When a person is eligible for parole, the board reviews available information including institutional conduct, programming, risk assessment results, the release plan, and victim input. Families and friends may submit information to the board for consideration. Written correspondence should be submitted to: North Dakota Parole Board, P.O. Box 1898, Bismarck ND 58502-1898. Victims have a dedicated submission path through the DOCR Victims Services page.
Once released on parole, standard conditions include regular reporting to a Parole and Probation Services officer, remaining in North Dakota without permission, no new criminal conduct, drug and alcohol testing, maintaining approved housing and employment, and compliance with any treatment or programming requirements.
DOCR's Parole and Probation Services uses the Levels of Service Inventory-Revised (LSI-R) to assess risk factors for each person and develop a case supervision plan targeting the top criminogenic factors for that individual.
How probation works in North Dakota
Probation in North Dakota is imposed by the sentencing court. The court sets all conditions. DOCR's Parole and Probation Services supervises probationers through the same 17 district offices used for parole supervision.
Officers use the LSI-R risk assessment and case plans targeting the individual's specific criminogenic factors. Standard conditions include regular reporting, remaining in North Dakota, no new criminal conduct, drug and alcohol testing, and compliance with any court-ordered programming, treatment, or restitution.
A probation violation is reported to the sentencing court, which holds the revocation hearing. The court can continue probation, modify conditions, or revoke and impose incarceration. North Dakota uses administrative supervision responses in field practice for some lower-level violations before formally filing for court revocation - this can include increased reporting, electronic monitoring, or other adjustments without immediately seeking revocation.
DOCR's 17 district offices
Parole and Probation Services operates 17 district offices throughout North Dakota, providing supervision coverage across the state. Officers in these offices supervise both parolees and probationers and also conduct Pre-Sentence Investigations when ordered by state district courts. These investigations gather background information and provide sentencing recommendations to courts before sentencing.
Reporting and your supervision officer
This section is for the person on supervision. Whether you are on parole or probation, your officer works for DOCR's Parole and Probation Services at one of the 17 district offices. Know your officer, their office, and your reporting schedule.
Know your conditions. Read the parole conditions or probation order and keep a copy. Ask before you miss anything.
Contact before you act. Travel, address changes, job changes: anything that touches your conditions requires your officer's approval first. On parole, leaving North Dakota requires advance approval from the board.
For families: use the DOCR Resident Lookup for state prison inmates. For parole matters, contact the Parole Board at the Bismarck address. The Parole Board publishes monthly decision reports on the DOCR website.
Violations: what families should know
For parole violations, the Parole Board handles the revocation process under Chapter 12-59 and DOCR procedures. A violation can result in return to a DOCR correctional facility. DOCR may use administrative responses for lower-level matters before formal revocation proceedings.
For probation violations, the sentencing court holds the hearing. The court can continue probation, modify conditions, or revoke and impose incarceration.
In both cases: get an attorney involved immediately. Document mitigating circumstances. Show up.
The Pardon Advisory Board
North Dakota also has a Pardon Advisory Board, separate from the Parole Board, that reviews certain clemency applications. People in DOCR custody or on parole or probation supervision may be eligible for review if they have encountered significant problems with the consequences of their conviction and have no legal remedy through the Parole Board. The Pardon Advisory Board is a separate process from parole or probation supervision. An attorney is the right resource for clemency questions.
Early termination and getting off supervision
For parole, the Parole Board can discharge a person from supervision before the maximum sentence date.
For probation, the sentencing court can grant early termination on petition.
North Dakota has an expungement process for certain offenses. Getting off supervision is not expungement; they are separate proceedings. An attorney is the right resource.
[Internal link block to render at foot of article:]
- See every prison and jail in North Dakota: /prisons/north-dakota
- Send mail or photos to someone in North Dakota: InmateAid mail and photos service
- Send money to someone in North Dakota: InmateAid send money
- Search arrest records in North Dakota: Arrest Record Search (honestly labeled affiliate)
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between parole and probation?
Probation is court-imposed community supervision. Parole is discretionary early release from prison granted by the ND Parole Board. Both are supervised by DOCR's Parole and Probation Services through the same 17 district offices.
Who controls probation conditions in North Dakota?
The sentencing court. Probation conditions are set by the court, and violations go back to the court. DOCR officers supervise in the field but the court retains authority over conditions.
Who controls parole conditions in North Dakota?
The North Dakota Parole Board under Chapter 12-59 of the ND Century Code. The board grants parole, sets all conditions, and handles revocation.
What is good time in North Dakota?
Good time is earned at 5 days per month under standard DOCR performance criteria. Additional meritorious reductions can be awarded. Credits affect when a person becomes eligible for parole consideration. There has been recent public debate about how these credits are calculated.
How do I find someone in North Dakota custody?
Use the DOCR Resident Lookup at docr.nd.gov by last name. It covers people currently incarcerated in ND DOCR facilities. For county jail inmates, contact the county sheriff directly.
What is the DOCR number?
The identification number assigned by the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to each person in the system. Used in the Resident Lookup and referenced in monthly Parole Board results.
How does the Parole Board notify the public of decisions?
The board publishes monthly parole results on the DOCR website, listing cases reviewed and decisions made with each person's state ID, DOCR number, and name. An interactive Parole Release Dashboard is also available.
What is the LSI-R?
The Levels of Service Inventory-Revised, a validated risk assessment tool used by DOCR officers to identify criminogenic risk factors and develop case supervision plans for both parolees and probationers.
What is the Pardon Advisory Board?
A separate body from the Parole Board that reviews clemency applications from people in DOCR custody or on supervision who face significant collateral consequences from their conviction and have no other legal remedy through the Parole Board.
What happens if someone violates parole in North Dakota?
The Parole Board handles revocation under Chapter 12-59 and DOCR procedures. Lower-level violations may receive administrative responses (increased reporting, electronic monitoring) before formal revocation proceedings begin.
How do you contact the North Dakota Parole Board?
North Dakota Parole Board, P.O. Box 1898, Bismarck ND 58502-1898. Victims have a separate submission path through the DOCR Victims Services page.
Can supervision be terminated early in North Dakota?
Yes. The Parole Board can discharge from parole early. Courts can grant early termination of probation on petition. =====================================================