BUTTE, Mont. — Officials at the Montana State Prison offered a first look this week at newly constructed inmate housing as part of a broader expansion effort aimed at modernizing facilities and reducing reliance on out-of-state incarceration.
During a media tour on April 15, corrections leaders showcased the first of several housing units currently under construction. The multi-phase project is expected to continue through 2029, when officials hope to complete the full buildout and bring incarcerated individuals currently housed outside Montana back to in-state facilities.
The expansion reflects growing demand for updated correctional infrastructure, as well as the state’s long-term goal of improving operational efficiency and inmate services.
The new housing units are designed to increase capacity while incorporating modern correctional standards. Interior spaces include individual cells and designated program areas intended to support rehabilitation and reentry services.
During the tour, Jim Salmonsen, warden of the facility, and Eric Strauss, director of the Montana Department of Corrections, highlighted the importance of the project in addressing overcrowding and operational challenges.
Officials noted that the additional housing will help the state reduce the need to house inmates in facilities outside Montana — a practice that can increase costs and complicate inmate management.
The project also includes dedicated program spaces aimed at expanding educational, vocational and rehabilitative services within the prison system.
The prison expansion is part of a phased construction strategy, with multiple housing units planned over the next several years. Once completed, the project is expected to significantly expand the state’s correctional capacity and modernize aging infrastructure.
Scott Eychner, who oversees rehabilitative and enterprise programs, emphasized the role of program space in supporting inmate development and reducing recidivism.
State officials have indicated that the expanded facilities will allow Montana to better manage its prison population internally, reducing reliance on contracts with out-of-state providers.
The effort aligns with broader national trends in correctional construction, where states are investing in updated facilities that balance security needs with rehabilitation-focused design.
The ongoing construction at Montana State Prison underscores the state’s commitment to modernizing its correctional system while addressing capacity constraints and long-term operational needs.
Originally reported by Blair Miller , Megan Nielsen in MT Standard.
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