North Dakota's prison system exceeds capacity, causing refusal of admissions and overcrowding in county jails.

North Dakota's prison system has exceeded its operational capacity of 1,624 male inmates, currently housing 1,779. In response, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has implemented a prioritization plan that allows it to refuse admissions. This plan prioritizes violent Class AA, A, and B felony offenders, impacting local county jails, including Cass County, which can no longer accommodate sentenced inmates. Public safety remains a key concern amid this overcrowding issue.