Montana Department of Corrections, U.S. Marshals Service transport inmates as part of Great Falls Regional Prison swap

• June 25 2021

Local, state, and federal correctional and law enforcement agencies from throughout Montana worked together this week to swap Montana Department of Corrections’ (DOC) inmates and U.S. Marshals Service detainees between Crossroads Correctional Center and Great Falls Regional Prison.

Local, state, and federal correctional and law enforcement agencies from throughout Montana worked together this week to swap Montana Department of Corrections’ (DOC) inmates and U.S. Marshals Service detainees between Crossroads Correctional Center and Great Falls Regional Prison.

The move was a culmination of a plan announced earlier this year following an order by President Biden for the U.S. Department of Justice to phase out its contracts with private prison companies, like CoreCivic, which owns and operates Crossroads Correctional Center in Shelby.

“Cascade County saw this as an opportunity to help the U.S. Marshal Service respond to the president’s order, while at the same time, alleviating overcrowding at GFRP by moving Montana Department of Corrections’ inmates to Crossroads,” Cascade County Sheriff Jesse Slaughter said Thursday. “The U.S. Marshals have fewer detainees than the DOC, allowing us to use that space to keep more people who pose a danger to our community off the streets.”

DOC Director Brian Gootkin agreed ending the state’s contract with Cascade County for 152 beds at GFRP was in the best interest of all parties, including the inmates. The 2021 Montana Legislature agreed to end the regional prison contract with Cascade County, allowing the move to take place.

“Crossroads has more services available related to recreation space, education, behavioral health, religious offerings and more,” Gootkin said. “It’s key to the department’s mission that we create a safer Montana through accountability, rehabilitation and empowerment. This collaborative agreement definitely furthers that.”

Over the past two days, the DOC moved 65 DOC inmates to Crossroads.

In addition to the DOC, U.S. Marshals, CoreCivic, and the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office, entities involved in the transfer included the Montana Highway Patrol, and the Pondera and Toole County Sheriff’s offices. Support measures were also in place should any medical issues arise in transport.

“I felt this operation was one of the most professionally ran and well-executed missions I have been a part of from the team leaders down to each and every individual operator,” said Acting U.S. Marshal Timothy Hornung. He added that the prisoner transport was a large operation by Montana standards.

Crossroads Warden Pete Bludworth said CoreCivic was pleased to be able to accommodate the new distribution of inmates.

“One of the ways we provide value to our partners is offering flexibility in how they manage their populations,” Bludworth said. “We are also proud of the robust reentry programming and comprehensive services provided at Crossroads and we stand ready to support our partners as their needs evolve.”

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