Burst pipes cause problems at MSP, emphasize need for infrastructure renovation, replacement

• Carolynn Stocker
• January 17 2024

Burst pipes resulted in a brief relocation of inmates from one of Montana State Prison’s low-security units Wednesday, and Wi-Fi and phone outages in another unit.

One-hundred and fifty-nine inmates were relocated to the Low Side gymnasium after a frozen pipe burst as it was being thawed. Facility staff repaired the problem and inmates returned to the unit within a couple of hours.

In addition, a burst pipe in another Low Side building leaked water on hardware used to supply Wi-Fi and telephone service to inmates in the unit. That issue was also repaired promptly, and service was restored on Wednesday afternoon.

“We continue to have people and resources in place to address these weather-related issues at our facilities as they come,” said DOC Director Brian Gootkin. “These incidents occurred on MSP’s low-security side, reinforcing the need for the major infrastructure overhaul supported by the governor and legislators during the legislative session last year.” 

Lawmakers dedicated about $211 million to support projects at MSP including the reconstruction and renovation of the facility’s low-security units which were built about 50 years ago, along with the infrastructure that provides services to them. Architect DLR and contractor Sletten Construction were selected last fall to complete the projects.

“Obviously completion of these projects will take years,” Gootkin said. “However, when we do get these renovations and reconstruction finished, we’ll be operating with new, energy-efficient buildings rather than trying to piece together equipment that was outdated 25 years ago. The impact on staff and inmate safety and security will be tremendous.”