Future of the Montana Women’s Prison? Sounds Like Butte’s Out

Who wants the new Montana Women's Prison? Sounds like the big dogs aren't that interested.

Background: They're looking for a new location for the Montana Women's Prison. At first, it sounded like it was going to be a battle between Butte and Billings...but sounds like Butte is out. And, I'm not hearing much public clamoring from Billings. Could Hardin or Boulder be the answer? (And what an opportunity for them)

Back in June, the Montana Department of Corrections sent out a press release noting that the Montana Legislature allocated $250 million for a new women’s facility. The DOC press added added that the department "is evaluating any and all locations across Montana for a new women’s prison."

DOC Director Brian Gootkin: “We are considering any and all locations for a future women’s prison in Montana. We’ve had a couple public meetings and visited with some local officials, but nothing is set in stone. We’re thankful that the legislature gave us this money and look forward to finding the right place for this new facility.”

Some headlines caught my eye back in June, so we ended up having Butte-Silver Bow Chief Executive JP Gallagher on the radio with us. I thought his comments were very interesting.

I told him how I was reading some headlines, and it appeared as though local officials in Butte didn't really want the prison in Butte. I told him how 20 years ago, a union stronghold like Butte would have been fighting for good government employee jobs like this. He basically agreed, but then gave several reasons why Butte isn't too interested in the $250 million opportunity.

For one, they're hoping to lure things like the big data center to the area that could be worth $1-$4 Billion. Second, housing prices are high for Butte too- where would folks find housing? Third, he worried that some of the folks who work at the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge and commute from Butte would simply work at the new women's prison in Butte instead, and then Deer Lodge would struggle to find workers.

Isn't that interesting? The strength of the economy now under solid Republican control in Montana has apparently been so good for Butte's economy, that they don't need an opportunity like this now.

So who does want it? Gallagher told me last month that he is hearing that Boulder and Hardin seem the most interested.

What are YOU hearing? What are your thoughts? Shoot us a message on the app. I will also have to check in with JP and other city officials for an update as well.

By the way, here's the audio of last month's conversation (according to the DOC, nothing has changed since they sent out that press release in June):