Bismarck, N.D. (AP) North Dakota inmates are helping bring holiday cheer to Bismarck by working as Santa's elves for a charity gift-giving program.
The minimum-security inmates at the Missouri River Correctional Center have been fixing toys and bicycles as part of the 2014 Christmas Playpen Project. It's a partnership between community businesses including the newspaper to collect and refurbish toys that the salvation army distributes to qualifying families during the holidays.
Donated items include doll houses, board games and action figures. The Missouri River inmates also plan to fix up nearly 300 bikes by the Monday deadline.
Inmates of the Dakota Women's Correctional and Rehabilitation center in New England are also working on the project.