A legislative capital projects subcommittee on Tuesday reviewed a proposed $150 million package to expand the Montana State Prison at Deer Lodge, saying the plan would add roughly 500 new beds, new support space and major campus infrastructure.

The architecture and engineering division’s witness, Russ Katherman, told the committee the CD‑1 request breaks into three main components: two new housing pods intended to bring the facility capacity to about 500 beds, a support/dining building and campus infrastructure work. Katherman said a portion—"about $21 million, the number my memory serves"—is for sewer and lagoon upgrades and for bringing a Northwestern Energy primary high‑voltage feed to the site.

Why it matters: Committee members pressed that the project is intended to reduce Montana’s current reliance on out‑of‑state bed space. Subcommittee members described more than 600 Montana inmates currently housed in private prison beds in other states and said adding in‑state capacity would reduce that dependence.

Key details and debate

• Capacity and configuration: Katherman said the two new pods would add roughly 512 beds in total, using a modern single‑cell design rather than the older dormitory model. The change to individual cells, he said, requires additional infrastructure beyond a simple like‑for‑like replacement of older units.

• Infrastructure costs: Katherman and committee members discussed a separate, sizable line item for sewer and wastewater upgrades and for a primary electrical feed. Katherman described the engineering work with Northwestern Energy as “preliminary” but included in the current estimate.

• Current out‑of‑state placements: Committee discussion noted Montana currently is sending inmates out of state; members said roughly 360 inmates are in Arizona and about 240 in Mississippi as of the hearing. Subcommittee members emphasized that those arrangements are contingent and not a long‑term solution.

• Women’s facility separate: Members said the Deer Lodge project does not address the acute shortage of beds for women; the chair and staff indicated a separate bill would address the women’s facility needs and an estimated additional 230 beds for female inmates.

• Future growth and siting: Several members asked about future expansion on the Deer Lodge site. Katherman said there is physical room on campus for additional housing in later phases, though future pods would not necessarily attach to the current new buildings.

Where the conversation goes next

Committee members requested more detailed cost breakdowns and said they want engineering reports during the next round of hearings. Staff also flagged that some infrastructure costs might be phased into a later session once primary‑voltage and lagoon work are scoped and priced.

No formal votes were taken in this hearing segment.

Ending

The subcommittee moved on after the presentation; members said they will seek additional detail during follow‑up briefings and in the appropriations process before any final decisions are made.