MANDAN, N.D.—Adolfson & Peterson Construction recently joined officials from the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (ND DOCR), state leadership, and community partners to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new women’s correctional facility on the Heart River Correctional Center (HRCC) campus in Mandan. As the Construction Manager for the project, AP strived to support the State of North Dakota in delivering a modern, purpose-built facility that indicates a shift in how the state supports incarcerated women.
Designed by JLG Architects, in collaboration with JB Marie and DLR Group, the new facility will allow the ND DOCR to consolidate operations by relocating women currently housed at the Dakota Women’s Correctional and Rehabilitation Center (DWCRC) in New England to the HRCC campus. The facility will total approximately 191,500 square feet and provide 304 beds. The project budget is $166.8 million, with construction scheduled for completion in fall 2027.
This move supports the Department’s long-term goal of placing women in a setting that provides greater access to community resources, family support, and comprehensive rehabilitation services, all in a facility that is appropriately sized, modernized, and respectful of the women in its care.
“This groundbreaking is the result of years of planning and strong collaboration,” said Colby Braun, Director of the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. “We’re grateful to our partners for helping bring this vision to life.”
The center is designed to provide a safer, more modern environment with expanded programming, upgraded infrastructure, and a focus on supporting successful transitions back into the community. Key design elements emphasize operational efficiency, access to essential services, and a more human-centered approach to rehabilitation and reintegration.
“This project is about more than construction. It is about creating opportunity and dignity,” said Tim Clark, Vice President, Operations at Adolfson & Peterson Construction. “We’re honored to partner with the state and the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on a facility that reflects their commitment to improving outcomes and transforming lives.”
Located adjacent to the existing HRCC, the new women’s facility is designed to align with national best practices and draw inspiration from successful international models, with a focus on rehabilitation, mental and behavioral health treatment, and reentry support. The project demonstrates North Dakota’s commitment to modernizing its corrections infrastructure while investing in long-term community safety and well-being. The new women’s correctional facility also supports the state’s vision for a more modern, rehabilitative approach to incarceration.
