Senate Judiciary committee reconfirms Brian Gookin as Montana corrections director

The Senate Judiciary committee voted to advance Senate Resolution 80, reconfirming Brian Gookin as director of the Montana Department of Corrections. The committee heard testimony from Gookin and a succession of supporters before approving the resolution in executive action.

Gookin told the committee he focused his first term on three priorities: changing agency culture, improving relationships with the Legislature and communities, and addressing infrastructure. "We inherited a culture that was very, defensive," he said, describing work to move from a punitive internal posture to one that emphasizes safety and trust. He told senators Montana State Prison had faced a roughly 40 percent vacancy rate when he arrived and that the department has reduced that to a sustained 7 percent attrition rate.

Lieutenant Governor Kristin Juras and several local law‑enforcement and corrections officials urged the committee to confirm Gookin for a second term. Juras said he "changed the culture at his department from a siloed agency to helping one another" and called him "a man of quiet determination." Proponents from across the state — including the Yellowstone County attorney, former agency deputies and community members with experience in corrections — credited his recruitment and retention work and new programming that involves formerly incarcerated advisers.

Gookin also updated the committee on multiple construction projects. He said the department is ready to break ground at Montana State Prison to replace aging buildings and that planning for a new women's prison — which he referenced as a roughly $250,000,000 project — is underway with site evaluations and consultation with the governor's office. He added that if funded, the plan would include adding two additional male units after completing three primary buildings.

Committee members asked about next priorities; Gookin said wellness and retention would be his top focus going forward: "We can't do any of these huge challenges if our people aren't well and we aren't taking care of them." After questions and brief discussion, Senator Ricky moved to pass SR 80. The chair announced the motion carried and that SR 80 passed unanimously.

The committee record shows broad bipartisan support in committee for Gookin's reconfirmation. The committee moved the resolution out of Judiciary to the floor for final consideration.

The committee proceeded to the next items on its agenda after the vote.