DOC escapee from Work Reentry Center at Montana State Prison apprehended

• Carolynn Bright
• February 27 2023

The Montana Department of Corrections inmate who escaped from the Work Reentry Center at Montana State Prison Friday afternoon was taken back into custody late Friday night.

“This was an excellent collaboration among the DOC, state, and local law enforcement agencies,” DOC Director Brian Gootkin said. “We’re grateful for the assistance we received to bring this situation to a swift and positive resolution.”

Agencies involved in the effort included the Powell County Sheriff’s Office, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office, the Montana Highway Patrol, and Two Bear Air Rescue.

At approximately 4 p.m. Friday, the MSP command post received information that a light blue Ford F-250 used by inmates working on the prison ranch was spotted on the interstate heading toward Butte. Staff members locked down the facility and conducted an emergency count of inmates.

All inmates were present except Brian John Jones, 52. Area law enforcement partners were contacted immediately.

At around 5 p.m., an MHP officer spotted the Ford F-250 abandoned near Basin and the search focused on that area. Jones was located and was taken back into custody without incident. Jones was returned to Montana State Prison.

Jones is under the supervision of the DOC for charges of burglary, criminal endangerment, forgery, and theft. Prior to this incident, he was classified at the lowest security level at MSP, living at the Work Reentry Center and working on the prison’s Cowboy Crew.