CURRENT JAIL CONDITIONS
Jail Conditions & Community Risk
An Outdated Jail, a Growing Crisis
Our jail is overcrowded, outdated, and worn down. Our community continues to grow.
For many years, Flathead County has struggled to meet the needs of our justice system; maintain a safe environment for inmates and detention officers; properly classify, segregate, and house inmates, especially the violent offenders and those with special needs; and keep up with repairs on a crumbling, outdated facility. The county has done its best, but it can no longer “make do” with the current jail.
Safety & Security Risks
Built in 1987 with a capacity for only 63 inmates, the current jail has struggled to keep up with Flathead County's rapid population growth, which has nearly doubled from 57,662 residents when the jail was built to over 114,000 residents today.
Through multiple remodels, utilizing all available space and double bunking, the capacity increased to about 154 beds by 2018. However, the jail’s maximum safe operational capacity is 96, due to the building’s linear configuration, poor sightlines, and insufficient support space. It was not originally designed to meet the current level of demand.
As a result, the jail is worn down and no longer meets the needs of our growing community. Serious challenges are putting public safety, jail staff and officer safety, and the Flathead community at risk.
The Community Risks:
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Overcrowding increases the risk of violence and jeopardizes safety. The jail lacks the space to separate inmates appropriately, increasing the risk of violence and putting staff and inmates in harm’s way.
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Health risks are rising. Limited space amplifies noise, stress, and increases the probability of illness spreading, leading to worsening mental and physical health conditions for both inmates and staff.
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Difficulty in providing health services, including an increasing need for mental health support. The current facilities are not built to support today’s healthcare needs, including essential mental health services.
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Lawbreakers are not being held accountable. With limited space, some offenders must be turned away or released early, undermining our justice system and public trust.
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The current jail is falling apart. Repair costs are skyrocketing due to worn-out infrastructure.
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Increased risk of potential lawsuits due to worsening housing conditions. Lawsuits could cost taxpayers even more in the long run.
Graphic Content: Viewer Discretion Advised
“We have no floor drains. No safe way to clean this. The odor seeps into the concrete. Our team had to go in — fully exposed — and physically remove the individual. It’s unsafe, unsanitary, and unacceptable.”
-Detention Commander Jenny Root
Expanding the current jail is not a viable option.
A needs assessment conducted by a consultant hired by Flathead County examined the possibility of expanding the existing jail, which measures 78,000 square feet. The assessment concluded that such an expansion would not be financially responsible given the building's worsening condition, the constraints associated with its location, and the lack of potential for improving operational efficiencies.
Learn more about the new Flathead County Jail, designed with the future in mind!