US EditionMontana officials break ground on prison expansion near Deer Lodge
- Montana officials broke ground in 2025 on a $156 million project to expand the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge by adding three new low-security housing units.
- The expansion responds to longstanding overcrowding issues, with the prison currently housing 1,553 inmates, exceeding capacity by 27 and pressuring county detention centers.
- House Bill 817, carried by Rep. John Fitzpatrick and signed by Governor Gianforte, allocates funds to replace three outdated 1970s units with modern facilities featuring updated technology to improve safety and living conditions.
- The project will add 117 beds, with completion expected by October 2027, and aims to reduce prisoner overflow to out-of-state facilities, where over 600 Montana inmates are held, mostly in Arizona.
- Officials emphasize the expansion as a necessary step toward safer communities and better corrections infrastructure amid ongoing legislative efforts to invest over $400 million more in prison improvements.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Montana officials break ground on prison expansion near Deer Lodge
Wielding ceremonial shovels against a bare patch of dirt inside the fence at Montana State Prison, state officials broke ground on a long-anticipated construction project to expand the facility's capacity.
Ground broken on Montana State Prison expansion as lawmakers spend for more beds
Wielding golden shovels against a bare patch of dirt inside the fence at Montana State Prison, state officials broke ground on a long-anticipated construction project to expand the facility’s capacity.
The Billings Gazette
Officials break ground on Montana State Prison expansion as lawmakers spend for more beds
Wielding golden shovels against a bare patch of dirt inside the fence at Montana State Prison, state officials broke ground on a long-anticipated construction project to expand the facility’s capacity.
Montana to add 117 beds to state prison in Deer Lodge with $200M improvement project
Despite all the buildings at the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge, theres still not enough room for the more than 1,500 inmates housed there, but thanks to a lot of funding from the state Legislature, the facility is going to get a little bit more elbow room.One, two three, Gov. Greg Gianforte counted before shoveling dirt at the Montana State Prison on Tuesday.Watch the full story: Montana to add 117 beds to state prison in Deer Lodge with $2…
Montana prison construction starts, lawmakers OK more money for expansion
A ceremonial groundbreaking took place Tuesday on three low-security housing facilities at the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge, the result of $156 million allocated by the 2023 Legislature, as lawmakers this year have approved proposals with an additional $436 million for further expansion aimed at addressing overcrowding.The new buildings will replace three of the four existing low-security units and increase the prison’s overall capacity by…
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