Find use for empty $27 million jail in Hardin, Montana

Given the fact that this jail is sitting empty, why is the state’s Corrections Advisory Panel recommending that the Montana Department of Corrections add new beds to its existing jails – and even build a new multi-million-dollar facility in the Billings area (when Hardin is located less than 50 miles from Billings, no less)? And at a time when the state’s overall prison population has been in decline?

Earlier this month, the Missoulian’s editorial board urged Montana’s congressional delegation to help find possible uses for the new – as in, never used – jail in Hardin http://tworiversauthority.homestead.com/Detention-Center.html.

This week, we were gratified to learn that at least one of our congressional delegates is doing just that. Rep. Denny Rehberg has apparently been pushing various agencies in need of housing for prisoners to consider the 460-bed, $27 million private facility in the small town of Hardin.

Full Story: http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2009/05/16/opinion/opinion63.txt