Pierce County Tribune

The North Central Correctional and Rehabilitation Center (NCCRC) is now housing both men and women prisoners.

Construction of a six-bed dormitory-style women’s unit at the Rugby facility is completed, and as of last week, four inmates were housed in it, according to Elaine Little, NCCRC administrator.

A majority of the construction was completed by NCCRC staff and cost approximately $5,000, although total costs have not yet been tallied.

Little said the most expensive part of the project was installing the metal studs to fortify the unit. State jail inspector officials approved the plans and work began in April.

Initially, jail designs did not plan for a women’s unit to be part of the NCCRC. A women’s cell unit had to be separate and out of view of male prisoners.

For a year and a half female prisoners were booked at the NCCRC and then transported to a Devils Lake corrections center to be housed. The NCCRC made these arrangements to transport and house females prisoners as part of its contractual agreement with area counties and cities.

The average cost for the NCCRC to house females in Devils Lake was around $1,500 a month as well as the transportation costs.

Now that the facility is certified to hold up to six females, those costs will be eliminated, Little said.

Published in The Pierce County Tribune 9-6-08.

The North Central Correctional and Rehabilitation Center in Rugby has endured many struggles, but the facility has been an economic boost to the city and area since it opened in 2006. There’s no doubt the North Central Correctional and Rehabilitation Center (NCCRC) in Rugby has made a significant impact on the local community and region since it opened in September of 2006.

But just how much of an impact?

About $5.1 million to the local and regional economy just last year, according the data compiled for the Rugby Area Job Development Authority by Larry Leistritz, professor at North Dakota State University.

Brenda Dissette, Rugby economic development director, recently put together an impact study on the facility using information supplied by NCCRC regarding payroll as well as survey information from its employees.

“From a JDA standpoint, it’s important to see how significant a large business like the NCCRC impacts the community,’’ she said, “and what impact it would have if it were no longer here.”

The direct effects of employee compensation and the operation of the NCCRC in 2007 resulted in $1.6 million in direct expenditures and $3.5 million in induced expenditures, used for such things puchasing houses, health care, insurance and other local services, as well as groceries and other retail products.

There are currently 34 full-time employees, 14 of whom moved to Rugby or the region once becoming employed. Data also reveals that 10 of those workers purchased homes in the community, and 11 children of NCCRC staff are enrolled in local schools.

While the facility has created new jobs, it has also benefited existing businesses by filling full- and part-time jobs with spouses or children of NCCRC employees.

While some businesses and services benefited directly by contracting with the NCCRC for products and services, others benefited indirectly. According to Leistritz’s data, it is estimated about 49 additional secondary jobs in the community were created as a result of the NCCRC’s presence.

The construction of the NCCRC also provided a law enforcement center, which houses the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department; Rugby Police Department; and the 911 emergency dispatch center. It also provides offices for regional law enforcement, including the BCI and N.D. Highway Patrol.

While the data reveals plenty of good news, the question is, “Can the NCCRC work through its current financial struggles?”

Trouble filling the jail has resulted in lack of revenue that, up this point, has made it impossible to make making loan payments to USDA Rural Development for the construction of the facility, which cost approximately $7.7 million.

NCCRC board members have worked hard to secure additonal boarding contracts with area counties and cities. However, the clock is ticking on finding a stable and large enough inmate count to meet all the expenses and keep the NCCRC operating.

Please print out an application from the "Employmant" tab and send to NCCRC Att.: Joey Cotton, Chief of Security 110 Industrial Road Rugby, ND. 58368