NCJ Number
45077
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 47 Issue: 2 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1978) Pages: 3-7
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE PLANNING OF A NEW STATE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY TO MEET ALL OF MONTANA'S CORRECTIONS-RELATED NEEDS IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE STATE APPROPRIATED $5.5 MILLION TO CONSTRUCT A NEW PRISON THAT WAS TO BE 'ALL THINGS TO ALL PEOPLE.' THE STATE'S SMALL POPULATION, LOW TAX BASE, AND RELATIVELY SMALL INMATE POPULATION MEANT THAT MAXIMUM, CLOSE, MEDIUM, AND MINIMUM SECURITY FACILITIES HAD TO BE INCORPORATED IN A SINGLE INSTITUTION. THE CONCEPT EVOLVED OF CREATING SEPARATE HOUSING UNITS, EACH WITH A STAFF COMPLEMENT AND REGULATORY STRICTURES PREDICATED ON THE DEGREE OF SECURITY REQUIRED. THIS 'RESPONSIBLE LIVING' CONCEPT USES THE HOUSING UNIT DESIGN IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE MORE RESPONSIBILITY AN INMATE IS ABLE TO ACCEPT, THE MORE FREEDOM HE HAS. CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW FACILITY INVOLVED REMODELING AND ADDING ON TO THREE EXISTING BUILDINGS ON PRISON-OWNED LAND. THE MAXIMUM-SECURITY BUILDING IS OF TRADITIONAL DESIGN. THE THREE-STORY CLOSE SECURITY, MEDIUM SECURITY, AND MINIMUM SECURITY BUILDINGS ARE SITUATED IN SUCH A WAY THAT INMATES MAY CHOOSE BETWEEN BECOMING INVOLVED WITH THE ENTIRE PRISON POPULATION OR REMAINING IN THEIR OWN UNITS. THE DESIGN OF THE FACILITY IS DESCRIBED IN DETAIL, WITH EMPHASIS ON THE MANNER IN WHICH A UNIFIED TREATMENT-MANAGEMENT APPROACH INVOLVING BOTH TREATMENT AND SECURITY STAFF IS PROMOTED, AND THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ENCOURAGING CONTACT AMONG KEY STAFF, LINE STAFF, AND INMATES. THE LEAA ROLE IN ESTABLISHING THE NEW MONTANA FACILITY IS NOTED. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE INCLUDED.