Resident raises questions about inmate funds and jail meals; officials say records available and meals come from Silver Foods

A Lewistown resident told the Fergus County commissioners on April 24 that he deposited money for an inmate last June but later heard from that inmate that the funds were not received.

"I just had a question, put some money on an inmate's... last June, and I was in contact with him afterwards. He said he never received the funds while he was an inmate at the [Fergus County] jail," said Brandon Bridal during the public‑comment period. Bridal said he retained a receipt from a jailer and asked whether the county could verify whether the inmate received the money.

Ryan, who identified himself during the meeting as the county sheriff, described the jail's procedure for handling funds. "Typically, if somebody wants to put inmate funds on, or put funds on inmates books at our jail, they can do it at our window. They receive a paper receipt, signed by whoever takes the money on. And then also there's a secondary receipt, that's provided that shows that it went on the actual account for that specific [person]," Ryan said, and offered to provide documentation if the county has the inmate's name.

Bridal also said he had spent about a day and a half in the Fergus County jail last June and raised concerns about the meals, saying some packaging bore Chinese symbols and that several inmates appeared worried about the food's safety.

Guy Calfani, introduced in the meeting as a chief detention officer, responded that the meals are not imported from China and that the county purchases prepared meals from Silver Foods, a California supplier used by several facilities. Calfani said he had not heard complaints about quality or quantity and described efforts to rotate menus and meet nutritional targets. "These meals give you vegetables, protein, carbs, healthy nutrition," he said, and added that he could provide the annual menu and substitution plan on request.

No formal investigation or policy change was announced; officials instructed the commenter to contact the county office with the inmate's name so staff could provide documentation on the account transaction.

The meeting record shows no roll‑call vote or formal action tied to the public comments. The county will retain records with the clerk and recorder's office and staff offered to follow up with documentation for Bridal.

Next procedural steps, according to comments during the meeting, are that staff will locate and provide copies of receipts or account records if the requester supplies the inmate's name.