Montana State Prison

The first cohort of inmates at the Montana State Prison to complete an intensive, year-long coding program graduated Thursday.

Montana officials are looking at different ways to address a staffing shortage and tight capacity at the state prison, including pay raises and expanding a contract with a private prison.

In-person visitation remains on pause at the Montana State Prison at Deer Lodge. Prison officials implemented the suspension late last month, with limited exceptions over the holidays.

Starting October 31st, all in-person visitation to the State Prison will be suspended until further notice.

According to the department, corrections officers at the state prison in Deer Lodge will see a $2 an hour raise and changes to the prison’s employee grievance procedure as a result of union negotiations.

Montana Department of Corrections Director Brian Gootkin told lawmakers this week that almost 18 percent, or 59 correctional officer positions are unfilled at the state prison in Deer Lodge.

In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, Montana’s prisons have stopped allowing in person visits to inmates since March. As cases continue to stack…

The Montana National Guard on Nov. 18 withdrew from Montana State Prison after assisting the facility, strained by an outbreak of COVID-19 among inmates and staff. Eleven soldiers tested positive for the virus prior to and during the roughly three week mission.

The Montana Department of Corrections confirmed Friday two inmates in state custody died due to COVID-19 last month. The announcement came nearly two weeks after the first inmate’s death.

Montana State Prison remains on lockdown after a coronavirus outbreak ballooned since being discovered last week.