A Helena man convicted of raping, kidnapping and assaulting a woman in 2019 had the rape charge dismissed after the state Supreme Court determ…
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"It doesn't make them 100% whole. However, by increasing the rate of reimbursement … that decreases the loss to the counties."
Cody Marble, the only person so far to file a claim under the program, said he was not surprised with the disconnect between the Gov. Greg Gianforte and the Legislature.
Rep. Greg Frazer called the potential program a "win-win-win" for inmates who need rehabilitation, dogs who need training and dog owners who need obedient and socialized pups.
The provision was originally included in the state budget but now lives in House Bill 817.
A woman who once worked as a dairy supervisor at the Montana State Prison ranch faces a charge of felony sexual intercourse without consent for alleged relationship with male inmate.
Lawmakers have given preliminary approval of $100,000 for a Select Committee on Corrections Capacity and System Development.
In 2021, House Bill 637 included an appropriation of $1 million with a goal of producing up to 50,000 birds annually.
The largest project in House Bill 817 — by over $100 million — would replace and expand lower-security housing at the state prison.
Montana State Prison Warden Jim Salmonsen called the raises "unprecedented" in his 34 years at the penitentiary.
"This gets us bed space right now, or as soon as the ink on the bill is dry," said Rep. John Fitzpatrick, R-Anaconda.
Rep. Greg Frazer, a mental health technician at the state prison, said taxpayer money is better used angling people toward stable housing than putting them up at his place of work.
The man who escaped from Montana State Prison was caught late Friday night, according to a Facebook post from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.
"Frankly I don't think that I have ever seen a more incompetent and pathetic performance," Rep. John Fitzpatrick said during the hearing.
"The quality of life in the state of Montana depends on state employees doing their jobs."
State prison officials said no further information would be released while the investigation is pending.
The prison has anchored Deer Lodge for more than 150 years, about 20 years longer than Montana's statehood.
The bill mandates an increase to state employees’ base salaries for each of the next two fiscal years of $1.50 or 4%, whichever is higher.
The Powell County coroner found a 60-year-old man with cardiovascular disease incarcerated at Montana State Prison died of acute intoxication from methamphetamine and anti-depressants.
Gianforte discussed the $14.4 billion two-year budget at the 101st annual meeting of the Montana Taxpayers Association.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff released about 475 pheasants at Isaac Homestead and Amelia Island wildlife management areas near Hysham last week.
“You’re looking ahead, like you want to get to that future,” Clarence Cook said. “You just have to be willing to put in the work.”
A national 2011 study found "any visit reduced the risk of recidivism by 13% for felony reconvictions and 25%" for technical violations.
The releases are aimed at recruiting new hunters rather than establishing or bolstering pheasant populations.
A former bakery supervisor at Montana State Prison was sentenced Aug. 31 to five years for his role in smuggling and transferring drugs to inmates.