Cass County Jail gets part of $1.5M grant to help reduce recidivism

Nine jails across North Dakota have received funding to help inmates rebuild their lives after release. The state awarded a total of $1.5 million through the Breaking the Cycle grant to reduce repeat offences. Cass County Jail is one of the facilities using the money to run a new six-week programme called the F5 Project.

The initiative focuses on teaching inmates how to make better choices and prepare for life outside prison. Early results suggest the approach is working well in Cass County, where similar schemes have already shown promise.

The Breaking the Cycle grant was divided among nine correctional centres in the state. Cass County Jail secured $205,652 to launch the F5 Project, a course designed to strengthen relationships and decision-making skills. Other jails receiving funds include Barnes County Correctional Center, Burleigh Morton Detention Center, and Ward County Detention Center, among others.

The F5 Project pairs inmates with mentors who have firsthand experience of incarceration. These mentors demonstrate that positive change is achievable after release. John Smith, the programme’s lead in Fargo, helps participants connect with community resources to ease their transition back into society.

One key feature of the F5 Project is its flexibility. If an inmate is released before finishing the six-week course, they can continue the lessons outside jail. This ensures no one misses out on support simply because of early release.

The grant’s broader goal is to improve reentry services across North Dakota. By offering structured programmes and mentorship, the state hopes to cut recidivism rates and help former inmates stay out of prison for good.

The funding will allow Cass County and eight other jails to expand their support for inmates before and after release. The F5 Project, along with other grant-backed initiatives, aims to provide practical tools for rebuilding lives. Officials will monitor the programme’s impact to see if it leads to fewer repeat offences in the coming years.