North Dakota Approves Funds for GPS Monitoring Bracelets for Inmates

The state's Emergency Commission unanimously voted to allocate $105,000 for expanded use of GPS tracking devices.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The North Dakota Emergency Commission has approved $105,000 to pay for expanded use of GPS monitoring bracelets for inmates in transitional facilities. The goal is to increase public safety by enhancing supervision and accountability of offenders while preserving access to work and treatment opportunities.

Why it matters

This move aims to reduce recidivism and incarceration costs, avoiding the need to build more jails and prisons. It comes in response to legislative concerns raised last session about community and victim safety.

The details

The GPS monitoring bracelets have been used for 300 people at transitional facilities since October 2025. The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation requested the funding, stating that without the bracelets, many on probation would likely be in more expensive prison or jail facilities.

  • The North Dakota Emergency Commission unanimously approved the $105,000 funding on February 27, 2026.
  • The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has been using the GPS monitoring bracelets since October 2025.

The players

Governor Kelly Armstrong

The Governor of North Dakota and a member of the Emergency Commission that approved the funding.

Colby Braun

The Director of the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which requested the funding for the GPS monitoring bracelets.

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What they’re saying

“This change 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.”

— Governor Kelly Armstrong (am1100theflag.com)

“With GPS monitoring, we are 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.”

— Colby Braun, Director, North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (am1100theflag.com)

What’s next

The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation plans to expand the use of GPS monitoring bracelets to all inmates in transitional facilities across the state.

The takeaway

This initiative demonstrates North Dakota's commitment to public safety and criminal justice reform, leveraging technology to enhance supervision and accountability of offenders while preserving opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration into the community.