The question of how many state prisons exist in Montana is not a simple numerical answer because the state’s correctional system encompasses multiple types of facilities. The total count depends on whether one includes only the largest, state-owned facilities for adults or also includes smaller specialty units, juvenile centers, and contracted private prisons. To understand the full scope of secure confinement, it is most helpful to focus on the facilities directly owned and operated by the Montana Department of Corrections (DOC) for adult felons.
Montana’s State Prison System
The Montana Department of Corrections operates two primary correctional facilities for adult incarceration that are owned and managed entirely by the state. These two institutions serve as the main destinations for individuals convicted of felonies in Montana. The largest facility is the Montana State Prison (MSP), located in the Deer Lodge Valley in Powell County.
The Montana State Prison is a multi-classification facility designed to house approximately 1,600 male inmates. It manages a wide range of security levels, from low-security minimum custody to high-security maximum custody. Programs at MSP focus on evidence-based training, educational opportunities, and vocational programs, such as operating a working ranch and dairy farm, to prepare inmates for re-entry into Montana communities.
The second core facility is the Montana Women’s Prison (MWP), situated in Billings in Yellowstone County. MWP is dedicated to housing female felony offenders, typically holding around 240 women. This facility focuses on gender-specific, evidence-based programming that includes substance abuse treatment, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and job training to promote personal growth and aid in reintegration. The DOC also operates a smaller, state-owned unit known as Riverside, located in Boulder, which functions as a sub-unit of the Montana Women’s Prison.
The DOC also operates the Pine Hills Correctional Facility in Miles City, which is the state’s long-term facility for adjudicated youthful offenders. Although Pine Hills is a secure, state-operated correctional facility, it is specifically designated for juvenile offenders, not the adult felony population.
Distinguishing State Prisons from Other Facilities
The official count of state prisons does not include several other facilities that play a significant role in Montana’s correctional landscape. One major distinction is between state prisons and county jails, which are managed by local county sheriffs. County jails are intended for short-term stays, individuals awaiting trial, or those sentenced to less than one year. They are separate from the state prison system and are not overseen by the Montana DOC.
Another category that expands the state’s overall capacity is the use of contracted or private facilities. The Montana DOC utilizes several of these facilities to house portions of its male inmate population. Examples include the privately operated Crossroads Correctional Center near Shelby and the Dawson County Correctional Facility in Glendive. These institutions hold state inmates but are not state-owned or directly state-operated prisons.
Pre-release and re-entry centers also exist outside the classification of a full-fledged state prison. These facilities are designed for transitional housing and supervision for inmates nearing the end of their sentence. The DOC contracts with various entities to provide these services in multiple cities across the state, including Billings, Missoula, and Helena. Additionally, the state does not have any federal correctional institutions, as federal facilities are managed by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons and are separate from Montana’s state system.