Two Montana cities lobby to be new women’s prison site

Two Montana communities have expressed substantial interest in becoming the location for a new state women’s prison facility following a Department of Corrections request for information. Two more responded to the state’s request for information but cited resident concerns and opposition in their submission.

The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Commission and City of Deer Lodge expressed strong desire for consideration, as did Big Horn County and Hardin, which said their southeastern location was the “most appropriate and advantageous.”

Butte-Silver Bow and Jefferson also submitted responses, but acknowledged residents expressed serious concerns and opposition to becoming a new prison site.

Montana’s state-run correctional facilities have been faced with overcrowding for years, and the issue