North Dakota State Penitentiary
Find messaging, video, and phone options for North Dakota State Penitentiary. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- State Facility
- Security Level
- Maximum
- Inmate Capacity
- 850 approx.
- Established
- 1885
- Operated By
- North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (NDDOCR)
North Dakota State Penitentiary Inmate Communication Overview
North Dakota State Penitentiary is the primary maximum-security state prison in North Dakota, operated by the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and located in Bismarck in Burleigh County, the state capital. Established in 1885, the facility houses adult male inmates at maximum and medium security classifications and serves as the central institution in the North Dakota correctional system. Bismarck is a mid-sized capital city along the Missouri River in the south-central part of the state, and the prison's location in the capital makes it geographically central relative to North Dakota's population distribution.
Communication at North Dakota State Penitentiary follows NDDOCR provider contracts. JPay handles electronic messaging, photo sharing, and money transfers. Families create a JPay account and add the inmate using their North Dakota DOC number to begin correspondence. GTL manages phone calls and video visitation under the NDDOCR statewide contract. The standard two-platform model applies: JPay for messaging and money, GTL for phone and video, with each requiring its own account.
Bismarck's central location in North Dakota makes the facility more accessible from across the state than a remote rural institution would be. Fargo, North Dakota's largest city, is about 190 miles east on I-94, roughly a two-hour drive. Grand Forks families face a similar distance. For families in Minot or Williston in the northwest, the drive to Bismarck is also roughly two hours or less. North Dakota is a geographically spread-out state, and the prison's location in the capital means it is within a reasonable day-trip range from most populated areas. NDDOCR accounts carry over to any other North Dakota facility if an inmate transfers.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
3100 Railroad Drive, Bismarck, ND 58501
Main Phone
(701) 328-6100
Administrative line — not for inmate calls
Official Website
Visit official siteVisit and Contact Details
Inmate search, mail, visiting hours, costs, commissary, and bail information for this facility.
Fax
701-328-6640
Communication Options
Available communication services at North Dakota State Penitentiary.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: JPay
Full JPay messaging available. Requires North Dakota DOC number.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: GTL
Remote video visits available. Schedule in advance through GTL.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Provider: JPay
Digital photos via JPay. Subject to NDDOCR content guidelines.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: GTL
Inmate-initiated calls via GTL. Fund AdvancePay account to receive calls.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: JPay
Trust account deposits via JPay for commissary and personal purchases.
Communication Providers at North Dakota State Penitentiary
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
JPay
Electronic messaging, photo sharing, and trust account deposits. Uses North Dakota DOC number.
View JPay ServicesGTL
Phone calls and video visitation under the NDDOCR statewide contract.
View GTL ServicesCommunication Rules at North Dakota State Penitentiary
- JPay and GTL are separate platforms. Messaging stamps and phone funds are not interchangeable.
- Messages are reviewed by NDDOCR staff before delivery.
- NDDOCR system-wide accounts carry over if the inmate transfers to another North Dakota facility.
- Video visits must be scheduled in advance through GTL.
- Senders must be on the inmate's approved contact list.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions: North Dakota State Penitentiary
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I message someone at North Dakota State Penitentiary?
- Create a JPay account at jpay.com and add the inmate using their North Dakota DOC number. Purchase stamps and compose your message. NDDOCR staff review messages before delivery, typically within 24 to 48 hours.
- How do I set up phone calls from NDSP?
- Phone calls use GTL. Create an account at telmate.com or through the GTL Connect app. Set up a prepaid AdvancePay account linked to your phone number and add funds. The inmate calls you from facility phones.
- How far is NDSP from Fargo?
- North Dakota State Penitentiary is in Bismarck, about 190 miles west of Fargo on I-94, roughly a two-hour drive. For families in Minot or Williston, Bismarck is also about two hours southeast. The facility's capital city location makes it one of the more centrally accessible prisons in the upper Midwest.
- Is video visitation available at North Dakota State Penitentiary?
- Yes, through GTL. Log into your GTL account, search for North Dakota State Penitentiary, and schedule an available slot. Book at least 24 to 48 hours in advance.
- How do I send money to a NDSP inmate?
- Trust account deposits are made through JPay. Log in, go to Send Money, and select North Dakota State Penitentiary. Add funds via debit or credit card. Processing typically takes one to two business days.
- How do I address mail to someone at North Dakota State Penitentiary?
- Use the inmate's full name and DOCR number, followed by North Dakota State Penitentiary, 3100 Railroad Drive, Bismarck, ND 58501. Include a complete return address. All mail is inspected before delivery.
- Can I call an inmate at North Dakota State Penitentiary directly?
- No. Inmates cannot receive incoming calls. They place outgoing calls to approved numbers through GTL, so fund a GTL AdvancePay account and confirm your number is on the approved call list.
- Why did calls from North Dakota State Penitentiary stop coming through?
- Calls usually stop when the GTL balance runs out, the number leaves the approved call list, or phone privileges change. Check the GTL balance first, then confirm with the inmate that your number is still approved.
- Why is my JPay message to NDSP still pending?
- Messages are reviewed before delivery and can take a day or two to appear. If a message stays pending longer, confirm the DOCR number is correct and that you are on the inmate's approved contact list.
- What happens if my loved one transfers from NDSP to another North Dakota facility?
- Your JPay and GTL accounts stay with you, since both are used statewide. Confirm the new facility's visiting rules and phone schedule, because they can differ by facility and custody level.
Troubleshooting at North Dakota State Penitentiary
Fix the most common problems families hit with calls, video visits, money, and messaging.
- Why am I not receiving calls from an inmate?
- Inmates can only call out, so you cannot call an inmate directly. If expected calls are not coming through, check your phone's spam or silence-unknown-callers setting, since carriers often block jail numbers. Save the facility's number as a contact, confirm your number is on the inmate's approved list, and check whether your carrier blocks collect or prepaid calls. If several expected calls fail, contact the facility's phone provider support.
- Why is my inmate not showing up in search?
- New arrivals can take 24 to 72 hours to appear in search results, and people in transfer may temporarily disappear from listings. Try alternate spellings and name variations, and make sure you are searching the right system: the federal BOP locator only covers federal inmates, while county and state searches are separate. Some records are withheld for protective custody or sealed cases. If it has been more than a few days, call the facility's records office.
- I sent money but it is not showing in the inmate's account. What should I do?
- Allow processing time first. Electronic deposits can take hours and money orders can take much longer. Check your receipt and confirm the inmate's name and ID matched. Do not send a second payment until the first one is traced, since duplicate payments are hard to reverse. Contact the money-transfer provider's support with your receipt or confirmation number. If the inmate was recently transferred, funds may follow after a delay.
- Why was my video visit cancelled or cut off?
- Most cancellations come from connection problems or conduct-rule violations. Stay in frame, keep your ID ready, follow the dress code, keep other people off camera, and avoid profanity. Visits can also be cancelled for facility lockdowns or schedule changes. For refunds, contact the video provider's support with your visit details.
- What should I do if the facility changed its communications provider?
- Create an account with the new provider, since old accounts and balances do not transfer automatically. Ask the old provider whether refunds are available for unused balances. Confirm the new provider's phone, video, and messaging setup before your next visit or call.
- Why is my JPay account blocked?
- A blocked account usually means the inmate blocked contact, the account details do not match, or JPay flagged the account for review. Confirm the inmate's ID and facility, check for an 'inmate blocked' message, and contact JPay support if the block looks like an error. See our guide: JPay account locked
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