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Montana lawmakers press Department of Corrections on programs and operations during oversight briefing
Summary
Law and Justice Interim Committee members questioned Department of Corrections leadership about programs and innovations, seeking clarity on operations and responsibilities; a local resident offered public comment before the committee recessed for lunch.
The Law and Justice Interim Committee met on Nov. 19, 2025, in Missoula and heard an oversight briefing from Brian Gootkin, director of the Montana Department of Corrections, and Natalia Bowser, the department’s innovation chief. Committee presiding officer Rep. Amy Regier opened the session and members queried DOC leadership on program implementation and operational details.
Committee members, including Sen. Sue Vinton and Vice Presiding Officer Zooey Zephyr, asked specific questions about DOC practices and innovations presented by Gootkin and Bowser. The committee’s exchanges focused on how DOC initiatives are being implemented statewide and what metrics or oversight mechanisms staff use to evaluate programs.
A member of the public, May Simmons of Lake County, provided comment during the DOC portion of the meeting. The committee recessed shortly after the public comment period and reconvened later in the day.
The committee took no formal votes during the oversight briefing and did not adopt policy at that time. Next steps assigned by the committee included staff follow-up to clarify operational metrics and implementation timelines.
