Montana Women’s Prison is a correctional facility located in Billings, Montana. It is designed to house female inmates who have been convicted of felony crimes. The prison provides a secure environment that emphasizes accountability, productivity, and personal growth for the women who live within its walls.
The facility offers a variety of gender-specific, evidence-based programming designed to assist the inmates when they return to society. The programs include education, vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services. The goal is to help the women develop the skills and knowledge they need to become productive members of society upon their release.
The Montana Women’s Prison is one of several correctional facilities operated by the Montana Department of Corrections. The department is responsible for the custody and care of over 3,500 inmates in Montana. The department’s mission is to enhance public safety by providing safe, secure, and humane correctional services to the citizens of Montana.
| Security | Mixed |
| Capacity | 240 |
| Physical Address | 701 South 27th Street Billings MT 59101 |
| Mailing Address | 701 South 27th Street Billings MT 59101 |
| Can You Send a Gift? | No |
| Visitation Hours | Tuesday and Friday – 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday – 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (406) 247-5100 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
Location and History
Physical Address
Montana Women’s Prison (MWP) is located at 701 South 27th Street, Billings, Montana, 59101. The facility is situated in the eastern part of the state, approximately 130 miles east of the state capital, Helena.
MWP was originally established in 1976 as a minimum-security facility in Miles City, Montana. In 1979, the prison was moved to a new location in Billings, where it remained until 2018. In that year, the prison was relocated to its current location, which was previously the site of a youth detention center.
The new facility has a capacity of 128 beds, with the ability to expand to 240 beds if necessary. The prison is designed to house women who require minimum to maximum security and offers a range of programs and services to help inmates successfully transition back into society.
Montana Women’s Prison is one of three state-run correctional facilities in Montana, along with Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge and Montana Women’s Reentry Center in Helena. The state also operates a number of county jails and detention centers throughout Montana, including the Lewis and Clark County Detention Center in Helena and the Last Chance Gulch Youth Detention Center in Helena.
Incarceration Process
When someone is incarcerated at Montana Women’s Prison, there are a few things that their loved ones should know about the process. This section will cover the inmate search, inmate mailing address, and sending money to an incarcerated person.
Inmate Search
If someone is looking for information about an inmate at Montana Women’s Prison, they can use the Montana Department of Corrections inmate search tool. This tool allows users to search for an inmate by name or DOC number. It provides information such as the inmate’s location, sentence length, and release date.
Inmate Mailing Address
When sending mail to an incarcerated person, it’s important to follow the guidelines provided by the Montana Department of Corrections. All mail should include the inmate’s name, DOC number, and the address of the facility where they are located. The mailing address for Montana Women’s Prison is:
Inmate Name, DOC #
Montana Women’s Prison
701 South 27th Street
Billings, MT 59101It’s important to note that all incoming mail is opened and inspected for contraband. Certain items, such as stickers and glitter, are not allowed.
Sending Money
There are a few ways to send money to an incarcerated person at Montana Women’s Prison. The first is to use the JPay system, which allows users to send money online or over the phone. There is a fee associated with this service.
Another option is to send a money order to the inmate’s mailing address. Money orders should be made payable to the inmate and include their DOC number. Cash and personal checks are not accepted.
It’s important to note that incarcerated individuals may have restrictions on how much money they can receive, and how often. It’s best to check with the facility for specific guidelines.
Overall, the incarceration process at Montana Women’s Prison can be difficult for both the incarcerated individual and their loved ones. However, by following the guidelines provided by the Montana Department of Corrections, it’s possible to stay in touch and provide support during this challenging time.
Visitation
Visiting an inmate is an important part of maintaining family ties and social support. Montana Women’s Prison welcomes visitors during designated visiting hours. Visitors must follow certain rules and regulations to ensure the safety and security of inmates, staff, and visitors.
Visiting Hours
Montana Women’s Prison visitation hours are:
- Tuesday and Friday – 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday – 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Visitors should plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before the end of the visiting hours to allow time for processing. Visits must be scheduled in advance by calling (406) 247-5118.
Visiting Rules
Visitors must follow certain rules and regulations to ensure the safety and security of inmates, staff, and visitors. Some of the rules include:
- Visitors must present a valid government-issued photo ID.
- Visitors must be on the inmate’s approved visitation list.
- Visitors must pass a security screening before entering the facility.
- Visitors must not bring any weapons, drugs, or contraband into the facility.
- Visitors must not engage in any inappropriate behavior during the visit.
Dress Code
Visitors must dress appropriately to maintain a family-friendly environment. Visitors should avoid wearing revealing clothing, shorts, skirts, or dresses that are shorter than knee-length, and clothing that contains offensive language or graphics. Visitors who do not comply with the dress code may be denied entry.
Call and Visit an Inmate
Visitors can call or visit an inmate by filling out a visiting request form. The form can be obtained from the Montana Women’s Prison website or by contacting the facility directly. Visitors must provide the inmate’s name, DOC number, and the date they wish to visit. Visitors are encouraged to call the facility to confirm the visiting hours and any other requirements before visiting.
Montana Women’s Prison does not allow email communication between inmates and visitors. However, visitors can send letters to inmates through the U.S. Postal Service. Visitors should address the letters to the inmate’s full name and DOC number and include a return address. Inmates are allowed to receive mail, but the facility may inspect the mail for contraband before delivering it to the inmate.
Overall, Montana Women’s Prison welcomes visitors during designated visiting hours. Visitors must follow certain rules and regulations to ensure the safety and security of inmates, staff, and visitors. By following the guidelines, visitors can maintain family ties and social support with their loved ones who are incarcerated.
Programs and Services
The Montana Women’s Prison offers a variety of programs and services to help female inmates successfully reintegrate into society. These programs are designed to address the unique needs of women and help them overcome the challenges they face upon release.
Substance Abuse Treatment
The Montana Women’s Prison offers substance abuse treatment programs to help female inmates overcome addiction and maintain sobriety. These programs include individual and group counseling, as well as educational classes on the effects of substance abuse.
Parenting Courses
The prison offers parenting courses that help female inmates develop the skills they need to be successful parents. These courses cover a range of topics, including child development, discipline, and communication.
Design Work and Embroidery
Female inmates can participate in design work and embroidery programs that teach them valuable skills and provide them with a sense of accomplishment. These programs allow inmates to create unique and personalized items that can be sold to the public.
Prison Paws Dog Training Program
The Prison Paws Dog Training Program is a unique program that pairs female inmates with dogs from local animal shelters. Inmates are responsible for training the dogs and preparing them for adoption. This program provides inmates with a sense of purpose and responsibility while also helping them develop valuable skills.
Mental Health
The Montana Women’s Prison offers mental health services to female inmates who are struggling with mental health issues. These services include individual and group therapy, as well as medication management.
Overall, the Montana Women’s Prison offers a range of programs and services that are designed to help female inmates successfully reintegrate into society. These programs address the unique needs of women and provide them with the skills and resources they need to be successful upon release.