Grand Forks (trfnews.i234.me) — By a 3-2 vote on Tuesday, the Grand Forks County Commission approved the consolidation of the county jail into the Sheriff’s Department. Commissioners Bob Rost, a former county sheriff, and Cynthia Pic voted against the measure.
The decision aligns with a major $32 million expansion project already underway at the facility, which includes the construction of a Juvenile Detention Center and an additional 80 inmate beds. The expansion is expected to be completed later this year.
Additionally, the Commission signed a letter of intent to begin housing inmates from the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR). The goal is to help the state address prison overcrowding while simultaneously generating revenue to offset the debt from the underutilized jail.
Governor Kelly Armstrong praised the partnership:
“This will be a win-win for both parties, with the state securing access to jail beds to relieve pressure on our overcrowded prisons and the county securing another source of revenue to service the debt on their recently completed, yet underutilized, jail facility.”
However, some stakeholders are cautious. Critics argue that operational costs may not decrease, since staffing needs for the jail and sheriff’s office will likely remain the same despite the merger.
The real impact of the consolidation and the new revenue stream will become clearer once the facility is fully operational and state inmates are housed at the expanded jail.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.