Media and Record Requests

If you have a media request (any interviews, filming on location, etc.), please contact Kayli Richards at karichards@nd.gov or 701-328-6650. Please note, news media interviews with a specific incarcerated individual(s) is not permitted.

Once a media interview has been approved news media representatives need to fill out the following forms:

• News Media Representative Agreement
• Criminal Record Check
  
   
• To learn more about our COVID-19 statistics, visit our COVID-19 Information page.
• For organizational characteristics on incarcerated or community supervised individuals, visit our Reports and Statistics page.
• To see the today’s count for individuals in our facilities and on community supervision, and the expected number of releases by month visit our Prioritization Plan page.
• Any requests pertaining to county correctional facilities in North Dakota may be directed to that specific county facility. To contact county officials, visit the North Dakota Association of Counties to search by county, by department or by name.
• Correctional Facility Standards, orders, and inspection reports for North Dakota county correctional facilities can be found on our Correctional Facility Standards & Inspections page.

• If you are requesting data, have questions on ND DOCR policy, or have another request please contact Kayli Richards at karichards@nd.gov or 701-328-6650.
   
• If you are requesting a Pen Pack or an adult in custody’s records, please contact Michelle Linster at mlinster@nd.gov or 701-328-6362.
   
• If you are only requesting an adult in custody’s medical records, please fax over the signed Release of Information to 701-328-6733.
   
• If you are only requesting an adult in custody’s treatment records, please fax over the signed Release of Information to 701-328-6152.

*Please note, The ND DOCR’s Division of Adult Services is not a HIPAA-covered entity, and disclosure of its medical, psychological, and treatment records is governed by N.D.C.C. Section 12-47-36. The ND DOCR may not disclose the requested records to anyone, either directly or indirectly, except as authorized in N.D.C.C. Section 12-47-36. Here are the general requirements for each type of record in an adult in custody’s file:

• Legal records are an open record and must be released upon request.
   
• Case history records are subject to Subsection 1 of N.D.C.C. Section 12-47-36 and are an exempt record, as defined in section N.D.C.C. Section 44-04-17.1. The ND DOCR releases exempt records pursuant to a subpoena duces tecum or North Dakota court order.
   
• Medical, psychological, and treatment records are subject to N.D.C.C. Subsection 12-47-36(2), which requires application to a North Dakota state district court for an order authorizing the ND DOCR to disclose the records. The application must include a showing there is a proper and legitimate purpose for the inspection of the records, with service of the application on the ND DOCR, and opportunity for the ND DOCR to submit a written response. 

1. • Medical, psychological, or treatment records may be disclosed without prior application to the court to a public hospital or treatment facility, a community behavioral health program, a transitional living facility, or a licensed private medical or treatment facility, when necessary for the evaluation, treatment, or care of a person.
      
2. • Please note the ND DOCR is bound by the requirements of 42 CFR Part 2 governing the confidentiality of federal drug and alcohol abuse treatment records. Therefore, in order to disclose drug and alcohol treatment records, the ND DOCR also needs a valid authorization, applicable statutory exception, or court order that meets the requirements of 42 CFR Part 2.

**Please also note, Rule 4(d)(2)(F)(ii) requires service of a subpoena duces tecum on the managing head of the agency or an assistant attorney general.