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Commissioners weigh whether to pursue state request to host new women's prison
Summary
Commissioners discussed responding to a Department of Corrections RFI about possible sites for a new state women's prison (Galen or Stark-adjacent), heard a $250 million legislative appropriation and community polling, and received extensive public comment both supporting and opposing further consideration; no letter was submitted and commissioners discussed holding a special meeting before the Oct. 1 RFI deadline.
County leaders and the public debated whether Anaconda-Deer Lodge County should express interest in hosting a proposed new state women's prison after the Montana Department of Corrections issued a request for information seeking potential host communities.
State Representative John Fitzpatrick summarized the legislative funding and the RFI process, saying the 2025 Legislature appropriated $250,000,000 "to build the future of Montana's prison system, including a new women's prison," and that $4 million was immediately available to the Department of Corrections to begin planning. Fitzpatrick said the legislation does not specify a site and that site selection will be determined by the Department after due diligence.
County staff described the RFI timeline and site factors: the RFI was issued Sept. 10 and requests feedback through Oct. 1 about land availability, infrastructure and workforce. One commissioner said he favored a Galen site over a location nearer Anaconda because Galen already has institutional infrastructure and sewer service.
Commissioners and staff discussed potential local benefits and costs. Supporters emphasized job creation and stable state employment; Michael Wigert, who identified himself as a sergeant at the Montana State Prison, said a local women's facility could reduce burnout among corrections staff and provide career opportunities in town. A county official and the county attorney cautioned about additional burdens on local prosecution, courts and public services if the facility were located in the county; the county attorney noted much prosecution of prison incidents has previously been handled by the attorney general's office, but local resources could be affected depending on arrangements.
Public comment was extensive and split. Some residents recalled positive impacts from a previous women's facility at Warm Springs (cited by Roxanne Wigger) and highlighted jobs and community services, while others, including Charmaine Everett and Margie Smith, urged the commission not to pursue consideration, citing community trauma, mental-health stresses and concerns about changing the town's direction. James Rosine reported an online poll with 292 votes cast so far, with 118 in favor and 170 against, and said he planned to leave it open through the end of the month.
No formal decision was reached. Commissioners discussed scheduling a special meeting before Oct. 1 so the commission could consider and possibly vote on whether to submit a letter of interest or decline to respond to the RFI. A county leader noted that if the letter is to go forward it must be authorized or signed by Oct. 1.
Next steps: commissioners directed staff to consider a special meeting to take up the item and gather additional information on infrastructure, workforce, prosecution impacts and community sentiment prior to any formal submission. No letter to the Department of Corrections was submitted at this meeting.
