Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Corrections Relocation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
State signals intent to relocate prerelease center to 55 Basin Creek Rd; local clubs and nonprofit weigh in
Summary
Butte-Silver Bow officials opened a public hearing on a notice of intent to relocate a state prerelease center to 55 Basin Creek Road, the former Acadia facility; representatives from the Department of Corrections, the Butte Trap Club and a longtime prerelease operator addressed commissioners.
Council members opened a public hearing after staff described a Department of Corrections notice of intent to relocate a prerelease center to 55 Basin Creek Road, a property currently zoned M-1 and identified as the former Acadia facility. Director Crane said the state invoked Montana statute 76-2-402 allowing agencies to use property contrary to local zoning and asked the council to schedule a hearing for Feb. 19, 2025.
Scott Eichner, rehabilitation programs chief for the Montana Department of Corrections, attended as a representative of the agency and told the council he was present "in support of this and happy to answer questions." Raelynn Brando, speaking for the Butte Trap Club, said the club supports locating the prerelease facility away from Uptown Butte but raised security concerns because club members sometimes leave firearms and vehicles unsecured during leagues and large tournaments. "We feel it is imperative that our neighbors understand the potential flight risks and access to valuables, including firearms that our club may offer," Brando said.
A representative of the nonprofit CCCS (a long-standing community corrections operator) described the organization's 40-plus years of running prerelease facilities, staffing, screening and programming, and argued for the state's proposed relocation and reuse of the Acadia building. The speaker said CCCS employs local staff, that the prerelease program provides work opportunities and savings for participants, and that the Acadia site offers advantages such as multiple gyms and roughly 50 acres of land. The speaker said CCCS hopes to be a tenant in partnership with the state.
Several proponents appeared during the hearing and one local resident spoke in favor. The council scheduled the formal public hearing on Feb. 19 to gather comment under the statute cited by staff; staff noted the property is state-owned and that the Department of Corrections had requested the hearing under 76-2-402. No formal council vote on relocation occurred at the meeting; the item was set to return after the Feb. 19 hearing and any subsequent judiciary or agency steps.
