On August 26-27, 2025, the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) delivered Working with Women 101 to more than 27 staff from the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Participants included representatives from the state women’s prison, the Dickinson Adult Detention Center/SW Multi-County Correction Center, and selected headquarters staff.
This two-day training, developed by NIC, is grounded in a women-centered approach designed to address the unique needs of women in correctional settings. It provides participants with a foundational understanding of the distinct experiences of justice-involved women, highlighting how their pathways into the criminal justice system, risk and need factors, and responses to supervision differ from men’s.
The curriculum emphasizes the importance of aligning programs, policies, and operational practices with research specific to women, including topics such as victimization, trauma, and effective rehabilitative strategies. By strengthening staff awareness and capacity, this training supports more humane, effective correctional practices and contributes to reducing recidivism among women.
