First off, I am writing this article to clear up confusion that may have come from the article in the June 12, 2025, edition of the Devils Lake Daily Journal entitled “What is the future of the Lake Region Law Enforcement Cener?”
Perhaps a better title for the article would have been “What is the future of the Devils Lake Police Department Location?” as the Police Department and the Lake Region Law Enforcement Center are two separate entities. On July 22, 2025, the people of Devils Lake will get to vote on the City Sales Tax Proposal on whether to finance the moving of the Devils Lake Police Department and new/remodeled City Offices. I am not writing this to sway your vote either way, this is being handled the way it should be by the will of the people of Devils Lake. I am merely writing this to update and inform on the operations of the current Law Enforcement Center, and the process of the planning for a proposed new Law Enforcement Center in the future.
Regardless of where the Devils Lake Police Department is located will not determine whether the planning of the new Law Enforcement Center continues. So, what are the plans for a New Law Enforcement Center?
First, I need to start off with sharing that a County is mandated by North Dakota Century Code to provide a Correctional Facility. In 12-44.1-02. Establishing correctional facilities – Correctional facility contracts -Regional corrections centers. It states that 1. For the confinement of lawfully committed persons, the governing body of a county or city shall: a. Establish and maintain a correctional facility at county or city expense; b. Contract for correctional facility services and use of correctional facilities with another county or city that maintains a correctional facility or with the state or federal government; or c. Establish and maintain, pursuant to chapter 54-40 or 54-40.3 and this chapter, a correctional facility in conjunction with other counties and cities. 2. Subject to the requirements of section 12-44.1-31, the governing body of a correctional facility may contract with a state or a regional correctional center, county, or city of another state for the confinement of lawfully committed state, county, or city inmates from the other state.
All counties must provide a correctional facility, at the expense of the county or city. I know that is a big expense to add to the taxpayer. I tried during this legislative session to make the legislature understand this by testifying on behalf of Bills that were put forward to ask for Grants and Low Interest Loans from the state to help counties build new facilities without burdening our taxpayers further than they are already. Unfortunately, they didn’t see it the same way. So here we are in the process of trying to plan a facility for the future of Ramsey County, Devils Lake, and the surrounding counties to use. We want this to be a Regional Facility.
I know many of you may be asking, why now, why Ramsey County. The current facility is over 50 years old. Most of the mechanical aspects of the jail are obsolete. So, repair parts are either not available or need to be specially made. Another reason to why now, is the facility is located right within the City of Devils Lake along with the Residential Re-Entry Center. We on the LEC Board of Directors believe the public wants to have it moved from within the city limits. Third, we need to plan for the future. Crime rates will not go down, they only go up, and we house Local, State and Federal inmates in our facility. So, there will be a need to expand the amount of bed space to accommodate.
Next, I would like to address the topic of the DOCR Inspections. The original order of noncompliance from the ND DOCR was in October of 2022. Our dedicated staff worked diligently to correct all deficiencies within the facility. On August 1, 2024, we were allowed to increase our intake from 80 to 105, which is full capacity for the jail. The latest inspection happened in May. On May 29 the LEC passed 106 of the 108 standards. On June 6 we were notified that our 2 corrective action plans were accepted thus making us 100% complied with DOCR Regulations. Also, on June 6 the request for removal on the amended order of noncompliance be accepted which will change our inspections to once a year, as normal.
I cannot express the utmost appreciation the LEC Board of Directors have for all the amazing work the entire LEC Staff has done to get us where we are today! The love and pride they have for their jobs and the LEC as a whole is incredible. Not to mention the fact that we are now the ONLY jail in North Dakota to offer substance use treatment, and state prisons are now referring inmates to us for participation in this program. The staff of the DOCR stated on the last inspection close out how impressed they were at the achievements that have been accomplished and that they rarely see jails receive a 100% inspection rating.
As far as the physical condition of the current facility. Yes, there are foundational issues that are being addressed, and we are looking to have them repaired. From 2016 – to present day upgrades and repairs to the facility have cost over $747,211. In the whole scope of this project, we are looking into what is best financially and safety wise for the County and City.
This facility will not be built overnight, it will not be done without involvement of the county and city residents’ knowledge and input. The final design will take at least 2 years to build. Once we have the entire plan together, we will hold public forums with every county involved to present everything to the people. So, until then, it’s up to you to decide on July 22 on the proposed sales tax increase.
So, in closing I will say thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have any questions, you can always contact me at [email protected].
