Prefabricated cells were placed in the new housing units in April as part of an ongoing expansion project at the Montana State Prison. | Photo Credit: Montana Department of Corrections

• Officials say a major expansion at Montana State Prison near Deer Lodge is moving forward, with one of three new housing buildings nearing completion.
• The project is expected to add about 1,000 beds as Montana continues to address overcrowding and the use of out-of-state placements.
• Montana Department of Corrections Director Eric Strauss said the additional capacity will allow Montana to return incarcerated people currently held out of state.
• The expansion is scheduled for completion in January 2029 and is part of nearly $700 million budgeted for prison system improvements.

DEER LODGE, Mont. — Construction on a major expansion at Montana State Prison is progressing, with one of three new housing buildings taking shape at the facility outside Deer Lodge.

State leaders toured the site in mid-April, describing the project as a key step toward easing overcrowding and reducing Montana’s reliance on out-of-state placements for incarcerated people.

Officials said the expansion will add about 1,000 beds. Montana Department of Corrections Director Eric Strauss told reporters that roughly 600 Montana inmates are currently housed out of state and more than 50 are being held in county detention facilities as the state manages crowding pressures. Once the project is finished, incarcerated people held elsewhere will be returned to Montana, according to Strauss.

Strauss said there is “no question” that bringing people back to Montana will help those in custody and their families, according to an article from the Daily Montanan.

The prison expansion, being led by contractor Sletten Construction, broke ground in April of 2025 and is slated for completion in January 2029. It is part of nearly $700 million budgeted to improve Montana’s prison system, with funding coming from the state general fund through appropriations approved by the 2023 and 2025 Montana Legislatures.

During the recent visit from officials, crews were active on site and masonry was complete on one of the main facilities. Corrections officials said some incarcerated people at Montana State Prison have contributed to construction work.

Inside the first building, walls and a roof were in place, along with ductwork. The first new prefabricated cells — assembled offsite and trucked in — were placed in the new housing units on April 8, according to an update from MDOC, with each cell including two beds, a sink and a toilet.

Scott Eychner, who oversees rehabilitative services for the Department of Corrections, said the added classroom, office and activity space is expected to support programming. He also said the layout could help staff move incarcerated people more efficiently when staffing levels are strained.

The project also includes developing plans for water system enhancements outside the fence to support and complement the ongoing facility expansion. Strauss addressed water-system concerns after a pipe break last year, noting the department “learned a lot” from the October 2025 incident. Officials said crews have replaced lines to water tanks, installed flow meters and mapped plans for broader system replacement.

This article is based on reporting originally published by the Daily Montanan on April 15, 2026.

HELENA, Mont. — Ahead of the primary election on June 2, NBC Montana is interviewing candidates to get an idea of their policy stances.

NBC Montana sat down with current Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen, who’s running as a Republican for Montana’s western U.S. House seat. The seat is currently held by U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke, who is not seeking reelection.

The full interview is embedded below on YouTube:

During the interview, Jacobsen repeatedly described herself as a “proven leader,” pointing to her time as Montana’s Secretary of State.

“I have delivered on all of my campaign promises starting from 2020 to secure our elections and partner with our business community,” said Jacobsen.

Jacobsen says she supports reducing the size of government, referring to her work as a state official.

“I have a proven track record, not only the votes that I have on the land board that support natural resource development and public access. But my proven track record by supporting businesses in the state, eliminating fees, cutting red tape, getting government out of the way, downsizing government, being accountable for spending, transparency securing our elections. I have a proven track record as delivering as a leader not just talking about it, but actually delivering on that. And that’s why in the last two general elections I’ve won by the largest margin of any other candidate on the ballot, including President Trump,” said Jacobsen.

Jacobsen cited reductions in her office’s staff, reductions in state government leases and reduced business filing fees, as well as voter ID requirements in state elections.

NBC Montana also asked Jacobsen about how she would plan to reduce the cost of housing. She said her approach would focus on “downsizing government,” reducing regulation and accelerating the permitting process.

“I think for Montanans, it’s important that we are eliminating taxes or reducing taxes, and as secretary of state I’ve done that, I’ve actually put the work into downsize government by reducing staff by half and reducing the number of state government leases from four to one. And with the savings, I’ve been able to provide better service for Montanans, our business community and our voters,” said Jacobsen.

When asked about the Trump Administration’s efforts to downsize the federal workforce through DOGE, she said the size of the federal deficit makes spending restraint a priority.

“I think that has to be priority to make sure that we have our spending under control and Montana’s have to live by a budget a secretary of state. I had to balance the budget I held the line with spending and that didn’t, that meant not even increasing the spending with inflation. It meant actually reducing the spending and I know if we’re able to do that at the secretary of state’s office that I will be able to do that in Congress and when you do that you can pass that savings on and in fact reduce taxes and make many of the tax cuts permanent,” said Jacobsen.

When asked about rural health care challenges, Jacobsen said she supports telehealth when appropriate, preventive care and reducing insurance-related red tape.

NBC Montana asked Jacobsen about her stance on the war in Iran.

“I think the president has done a good job with it being Operation Epic Fury, and I think Montanans want to see an end to it fairly quickly, and we’re supporting the president in hopes that happens soon,” said Jacobsen.

She said she hopes soaring gas prices are short-term. When asked about rising costs associated with the Trump Administration’s tariffs Jacobsen did not directly say whether or not she supports them.

“In general, I support free enterprise, and I think the less amount of government that we have, the less government interference and more private sector growth that we have as an opportunity for business to thrive and do it through free enterprise. That’s my position,” said Jacobsen.

NBC Montana asked Jacobsen on her willingness to work with leaders from the other party, referencing the longest government shutdown in U.S. history that lasted 43 days in 2025.

“It’s an absolute failure of our congressmen, and I do not believe that we should have any workers going and doing their job and congressman being able to take a vacation or take a break and continue to get paid. I would absolutely support that congressmen are not allowed to go home take a break or continue with a paycheck if they are in fact standing in the way of delivering for the workers and the people of our country,” said Jacobsen.

NBC Montana asked about President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Republican candidate Aaron Flint, who’s seeking the same seat.

“I have an amazing partnership with Trump, as you mentioned he endorsed me in 2024, and moving forward we’ve partnered with the Trump Administration to secure our elections and make sure that we have only citizens voting in the state and I think that’s an amazing partnership that I’m very proud of,” said Jacobsen.

Jacobsen avoided drawing a direct contrast with current U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke when asked what she would do differently.

When asked what separates her from other Republicans in the race, she said, “I’m a doer. I’m not a talker.”

She cited her statewide election margins and her work on the state land board.