New Interest in Jail

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By Sarah Gravlee

Story Published: Mar 15, 2010 at 6:25 PM MST

Story Updated: Mar 16, 2010 at 9:20 AM MST

BILLINGS - Talks are underway toward a plan that could fill the vacant Hardin Jail. The facility has sat empty since it was built in 2006.

The intent is to bring economic development to the fourth poorest county in the United States. Last year, the jail drew national attention when a California company proposed turning it into a military training facility. Now, a group closer to home is pursuing its own plan.

On Monday, Tribal Chairman Cedric Black Eagle confirmed the Crow Nation is looking to fill the Hardin Detention Center. While the effort is promising to some, others say it might not be a good fit. Black Eagle said the Crow Tribe could use the 114,000 square foot jail in Hardin as a drug and alcohol treatment facility.

Black Eagle said they are working with the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Justice Department to determine if they want to proceed. During a phone conversation Monday he said, "We certainly are going to look at all options before jumping in with both feet."

Tribal leaders said addressing substance abuse is one of their number one concerns. Montana-Wyoming Tribal Council Executive Director Gordon Belcourt said the state needs nearly 1,000 beds to adequately address the substance abuse problem among the Native American population. He said the 464 beds in the Hardin jail would be a large step in the right direction.

"I'm just really excited about it," Belcourt said. "I think we need capacity. We have devastating statistics with alcohol abuse, which is continuing decade after decade. Now we have additional capacity need around meth and prescription drugs."

But not everyone is so excited about the potential deal. Hardin city officials said the jail was built to bring jobs to the city and they'd like to see it do just that. In a statement released Monday afternoon, officials with Two Rivers Authority, who currently owns the facility wrote: "Two Rivers Authority has not been informed of any effort by the Crow Tribe to purchase the Detention Facility. Until Two Rivers Authority has more information, further comment is inappropriate."

Belcourt said if the Crow Nation decides to proceed with the deal it will take a lot of work. He said the facility would need to be certified and accredited, a process that could take quite some time.

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