The exercise comes as lawmakers are expected to vote on proposals this legislative session for addressing issues like jail and prison overcrowding, sentencing, housing scarcity and behavioral health. During his State of the State Address last week, Gov. Kelly Armstrong also announced the creation of a new Cabinet position, the commissioner of Recovery and Re-Entry.
During the program, each public official was given a packet assigning them a name and criminal history, as well as details on their employment and housing situation.
Every packet also contained a chart giving them tasks to complete — like going to treatment or support groups, getting groceries or paying rent. Tasks were timed, and neglecting to complete certain responsibilities could send them to jail, the hospital or the homeless shelter.
Some participants started off without stable housing or pay. Some were given packets without state IDs, Social Security cards or birth certificates, which were needed in order to get other basic resources.
A random selection of officials were declared sex offenders, which came with extra responsibilities.
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As the simulation went on, some participants started to trade resources with one another under the table. At one point, Rep. Greg Stemen, R-Fargo, found an abandoned transportation ticket on the ground.
“Anybody need one? Ten bucks,” he called out to his colleagues.
A number of officials were given baby dolls to take care of. If a participant was caught holding their doll incorrectly, volunteers would pretend to call Child Protective Services and send them to jail.