Governor Greg Gianforte joined law enforcement leaders in Billings to emphasize the importance of major new investments in Montana’s public safety infrastructure, including a proposed $150 million in one-time funding to expand the capacity of the Montana State Prison.
Standing alongside local officials at a press conference, Gianforte stressed the urgency of addressing rising crime and overcrowded jails across the state.
“Rising crime is affecting communities across Montana, and there’s a direct connection to failed border policies at the federal level,” the governor said. “We need to give law enforcement the tools they need to keep our neighborhoods safe—and that includes increasing capacity in our state prison system.”
As part of his biennium budget proposal, The Path to Security and Prosperity, Gianforte called for $150 million to add 500 new beds at the Montana State Prison. He also outlined a broader $250 million plan to develop a long-term strategy to enhance public safety and reduce recidivism.
In his recent State of the State address, Gianforte pointed to the growing strain on local jails due to the lack of state-level capacity, noting, “We can’t find and prosecute criminals if we don’t have a place to put them. Too many who should be in state prison are taking up space in county jails. Thousands of warrants go unserved because there’s nowhere to house offenders.”
Local officials echoed those concerns.
“All county jails are busting at the seams,” said Yellowstone County Sheriff Mike Linder. “Many of the individuals we’re holding right now should be at the state prison. This investment is vital to public safety and to our community.”
Billings Police Chief Rich St. John acknowledged that local departments won’t receive direct funding but said the systemic benefits will be significant.
“Whether you add or subtract something in the justice system, it affects everything,” said St. John. “Increasing prison capacity will reduce the pressure on our local detention center, which is already overwhelmed. In 2024, 60 percent of arrests in Billings involved repeat offenders. We need space to detain the individuals who continually cycle through the system.”
Beyond expanding physical capacity, Gianforte’s proposal also includes substantial investments in the people who operate Montana’s correctional system. The budget earmarks $6.5 million for improved pay, training, and resources for corrections officers, and an additional $7 million to boost salaries for Montana Highway Patrol troopers.
Warden of the Montana Women’s Prison, Katie Weston, emphasized how crucial these investments are for both safety and staff retention.
“The pay increase for correctional officers allows us to run a safer, more stable facility,” Weston said. “It also makes a huge difference in creating a positive environment for inmates and staff alike.”
Chief St. John added that bolstering staffing at correctional facilities will enhance safety across the board. “It improves outcomes for everyone—officers, inmates, and the community,” he said.
Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito concluded the press conference by underscoring how these investments will directly benefit law enforcement’s ability to do their jobs.
“When we arrest dangerous individuals, we need to be able to put them somewhere,” Twito said. “Increasing prison capacity gives us the space to get bad actors off the streets and keep our communities safe. This is a smart and timely investment.”
The proposal is currently under review as the Montana Legislature prepares for upcoming budget discussions.
By: DNU staff