County to pursue state consideration for new women’s prison at Galen, lists Warm Springs as secondary

The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Commission voted to pursue a letter of interest to the state of Montana requesting consideration for a new women’s prison, listing Galen as the primary site and Warm Springs as a secondary location. The motion passed after commissioners discussed site availability and infrastructure.

Commissioner (speaker 3) urged including both sites, saying Galen should be primary and Warm Springs a secondary option because “Warm Springs, as we all know, has a brand new sewage treatment facility” and recent well work that could support development. Jonathan Spafford, identified himself as "Jonathan Spafford, representative of the past District 76," and said the land at Galen is currently owned by CCCS Corp and was originally built as a leased federal facility.

Chair introduced the item and asked staff and elected representatives to weigh in on land availability. Commissioners noted Warm Springs’ recent investments in utilities and pointed to Galen’s existing built infrastructure as reasons for listing both locations. After discussion, a commissioner moved and seconded that the county pursue the letter of interest naming Galen as the primary site and Warm Springs as a secondary location; Chair called the vote and the motion carried.

The commission did not specify a timeline for sending the letter or any next steps in the state review process during the meeting. The county record in the meeting transcript indicates staff will pursue the letter as authorized by the commission.