North Dakota Emergency Commission Approves Funding for GPS Monitoring Expansion

BISMARCK – The North Dakota Emergency Commission approved $105,000 in funding on Thursday, February 26, 2026, to expand the use of GPS monitoring bracelets to all residents of transitional facilities in the state. The expansion aims to enhance public safety through real-time supervision.

Background

The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR) initially implemented GPS monitoring in October 2025 for approximately 300 individuals in inmate status at transitional facilities. This initial change, costing $568,000, was absorbed within the DOCR’s existing budget. The move addressed concerns from lawmakers regarding supervision, accountability, and community safety.

Expansion Details

The newly approved funding will allow the DOCR to extend GPS monitoring to individuals placed in transitional facilities by external authorities, such as courts and the parole board, for whom the DOCR retains supervisory responsibility. This includes individuals on perform release. The DOCR estimates that around 122 individuals from probation and parole placements will require GPS monitoring.

Statements from Officials

Governor Kelly Armstrong stated that the expansion “will make our communities safer and save taxpayers’ money in the long run by reducing recidivism and incarceration costs and avoiding the need to build more jails and prisons.” North Dakota Governor’s Office

DOCR Director Colby Braun noted that the department is already seeing positive results from the initial GPS monitoring program. The technology provides real-time supervision, verifies location compliance, and enables a quicker response to unauthorized movements. He added that without GPS monitoring, many individuals, particularly those on probation diversion, would likely be incarcerated in more costly facilities. Currently, North Dakota’s correctional system houses over 430 sentenced individuals in county jails due to prison capacity limitations.

Braun emphasized that the expansion “is enhancing supervision and accountability, responding directly to legislative concerns raised last session, and strengthening community and victim safety while preserving access to work and treatment opportunities.” North Dakota Governor’s Office

Emergency Commission and Legislative Approval

The six-member Emergency Commission, chaired by the governor, includes the secretary of state, the House and Senate majority leaders, and the House and Senate appropriations committee chairs. North Dakota Secretary of State

The funding similarly requires approval from the Legislature’s Budget Section, which is scheduled to meet on March 18. The DOCR plans to request ongoing legislative funding in the next biennium to sustain GPS monitoring for all transitional and work release participants.