• Building Quality Products, Preparing Quality People

    Pictured: Rick Gardner (left), RRI Director; Mano Gonzalez (right), Welding Specialist.

    After spending 26 years as a resident himself inside the North Dakota State Penitentiary (NDSP), Mano Gonzalez was awarded his freedom on February 16, 2024. Prior to Mano’s release, he was a team lead inside RRI’s metal fabrication shop where he mastered welding, fabrication, coatings applications, CAD design, CNC equipment operation, as well as sheer, press brake, and various cutting tool operations. Mano started his first day employed with RRI on March 4, 2024, and RRI is very fortunate to have Mano and his abilities to model and mentor positive behavior to the residents within Rough Rider Industries and the North Dakota Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation.

    Rick welcoming Mano on joining the team

What is Rough Rider Industries?

Rough Rider Industries: Built on Quality, Driven by Purpose

Since 1975, Rough Rider Industries (RRI) has worked to make top-quality goods and services while giving people a second chance. RRI is a division of the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (NDDOCR).  We train and employ individuals in state care so they can learn real skills and return to life ready to succeed.

RRI is proud to stand on its own. We do not use tax dollars. Every cost—from pay and tools to new gear and upkeep—is covered by what we earn from sales. When we have extra, it helps fund programs that make a real difference.

We run shops in three state sites:

  • North Dakota State Penitentiary (Bismarck): We build furniture, seats, signs, plates, dumpsters, park gear, and custom metal work.
  • James River Correctional Center (Jamestown): We make clothes, bedding, pillows, seats, and plastic bags. We also run commissary services.
  • Missouri River Correctional Center (Bismarck): We focus on welding and custom farm gear.

Call-to-Action:
Choose RRI for your next order. Get strong, well-made products—and help change lives. Visit us today and make your purchase count!

Why Rough Rider Industries?

Our Mission

Provide adult individuals job skills training necessary for successful reentry while providing quality goods and services in a self-sustaining manner.

The Benefits of RRI

97% of individuals in prison will eventually re-enter into society. RRI employs individuals in custody – who have demonstrated good behavior – into positions that cultivate skill sets, generate wages, and teach valuable life lessons. The work at RRI enables an individual to rejoin their community with a renewed outlook and the means to support themselves.

RRI embodies values that are important to North Dakota like hard work and fairness. We partner with North Dakota suppliers to source the materials for our products. We rely on a staff of North Dakota residents to run our day to day operations. We do not dip into state tax funds, but instead rely on our own revenues to pay salaries and purchase equipment. Our work raises up the state’s economy and supports businesses and agencies of all sizes across the state.

Click here to learn more about the benefits of RRI and its mission.

Questions? We are ready to help! Contact us