State suspends plan for prision,
Great Falls Tribune, 2/3/12
HELENA — The Montana Department of Corrections on Friday retracted its request for bids to build a new 120-bed medium security prison — just a week after originally saying the new multimillion dollar project was needed.
The agency said it decided to suspend the plans for a privately run correctional facility in order to better assess population trends.
Last week, the agency unveiled its request for proposals asking companies to submit bids to build and operate a new facility. Corrections officials said at the time the new facility was specifically needed for inmates requiring assisted living help, very young adult inmates, and general medium security inmates.
But director Mike Ferriter said the proposal is being suspended for up to 90 days as the agency re-evaluates its needs. He said the agency's focus on helping inmates return to society is expected to reduce the recidivism rate.
"We are taking some additional time to observe fluctuating population figures and determine what effect they have on our future incarceration needs," he said.
Ferriter said he made the decision after consulting with the office of Gov. Brian Schweitzer. The news was released late Friday.
Schweitzer has been travelling this week in China and couldn't be reached for comment, his office staff said.
The retracted proposal called for finding a contractor to house the inmates at either a new or existing building. The Legislature last year authorized about $3 million to develop the facility.
Three private Montana prison operators and three local governments previously expressed interest in providing the beds, including the vacant 464-bed Two Rivers Authority prison in Hardin.
The state had originally said in its 74-page bid request that it hoped to award the 30-year contract by late April.
Ferriter said the plan will be re-evaluated. It may not be issued at all.
"We feel like we should be thoughtful on a decision like this when we are spending taxpayer dollars. There is significant money involved," Ferriter said.
Bids sought for new prison facility,
Montana Standard, 1/25/12
HELENA (AP) — The Montana Department of Corrections said Tuesday it is seeking bids for a new 120-bed medium security prison to help deal with an increasing number of prisoners, particularly among those needing special care.
The agency said it is looking for a contractor to house the inmates at either a new or existing building. The Legislature last year authorized about $3 million to develop the facility.
Three private Montana prison operators, including the Butte-based Community Counseling and Corrections Service, and three local governments, including Butte-Silver Bow County, previously expressed interest in providing the beds, including the vacant 464-bed Two Rivers Authority prison in Hardin.
The Department of Corrections said it wants more prison space for inmates needing assisted living help, more specialized resources for very young adult inmates, and more beds for general medium security inmates.
The state says it hopes to award the 30-year contract by late April.
Last fall, Community Counseling and Corrections Service, which runs the Butte Pre-release Center among other facilities, said it could build a new, 120-bed facility for $12 million to $15 million, or perhaps add on to some of its other operations in the Anaconda-Deer Lodge Valley.
Mike Thatcher, chief executive officer for CCCS, told the Lee State Bureau at that time that a “Montana-based, not-for-profit corporation with 28 years of correctional experience makes sense” as the contractor for the project.
In a 74-page bid request, the state said its prison population is expected to increase 2 percent a year, or about 150 inmates during the next three years.
The agency said it has more aging and other inmates with serious, chronic medical conditions difficult to deal with in a traditional prison. The bid request calls for the contractor to provide assisted living facility-type care for at least 20 such inmates.
It has also identified growth in offenders under 25 years old who are “more immature, impulsive and resistant to authority than older inmates and, therefore, have proven themselves more likely to exhibit greater behavioral problems when incarcerated.” The bid calls for at least 20 beds and special services targeting the needs of this group, along with up to 80 general population beds.
Butte-Silver Bow said late last year it may have beds available, as did Broadwater and Gallatin counties.
Besides CCCS, the two other private-prison operators who said they may be interested in supplying the room for additional prisoners include Corrections Corp. of America, which already runs the Shelby prison; and the Two Rivers Authority of Hardin.
The Hardin facility has in the past sparred with the Department of Corrections for failing to give it any inmates to house. With no inmate contracts despite years of aggressive marketing of the jail, the $27 million economic development project has turned into a black eye for rural Hardin.
Jeffrey McDowell, the executive director of the Two Rivers Authority, said the local agency will review the state’s latest request and intends to respond.
Shelby prison offers to expand with Department of Corrections seeking 120 new beds,
Great Falls Tribute, 11/5/11.
HELENA (AP) — Three private Montana prison operators and three local governments say they are interested in providing up to 120 new prison beds for the state Department of Corrections.
Corrections Department spokesman Bob Anez said state lawmakers approved about $3 million to develop 120 beds starting next year.
"We need this to handle the expected growth within the system," he said. "The idea is to make sure you have enough space to handle not only the number of inmates, but also the kind of inmates you have."
The three private-prison operators interested in supplying the room for additional prisoners are Corrections Corp. of America; Community, Counseling and Corrections Services Inc.; and the Two Rivers Authority.
The state in September asked to be told by prison facility operators if they would be interested in supplying prison space for up to
120 new medium-security beds. That would include at least 20 beds for
special needs inmates, who are older, disabled, mentally ill or those
who require sex-offender treatment.
Corrections Corp. of America runs a private prison at Shelby that holds 560 inmates and said it could expand to hold another 120 inmates.
The company said it could work with the state "to ensure the
most cost-effective and well-suited design," and that it was willing to explore
an "even larger expansion to meet the department's needs."
Anez said the Corrections Department will use the responses to create its formal bid request.
Two Rivers Authority has a vacant 464-bed prison in Hardin.
"Two Rivers Authority is highly motivated to bring its facility into operation," wrote Bill Joseph, chairman of the authority.
Mike Thatcher, chief executive officer for Community, Counseling and Corrections Services, said a "Montana-based, not-for-profit corporation with 28 years of correctional experience makes sense."
Butte-Silver Bow said it may have beds available, as did Broadwater and Gallatin counties.
The three government agencies each sent letters noting their jails may have space. At the Gallatin County Detention Center, Program Director Jackie K. Lemon said the county's 160-bed facility is only half full.
2010 Awards & Dedication
Ceremony Celebrating a Spirit of Dedication
"Catch Up Fall 2011," a
supplement in the Montana Standard, 8/14/11
On October 7, 2010, the Butte Central (BC) Education Foundation Board of Directors hosted a ceremony to honor and recognize the dedication, leadership and commitment to Catholic education by some outstanding individuals and families. The ceremony, which was held in the Cote Family Lobby and Reception Area at the Maroon Activities Center, was attended by a large group of Butte Central Supporters. [. . .]
[. . .] The final presentation of the evening was the 2010 Butte Central Catholic Schools' Distinguished Graduate Award, which is co-sponsored by the National Catholic Schools Association. The award was presented to Mike Thatcher from the BC class of 1977 and the North Central Class of 1973.
Mike was honored for his outstanding work as the Chief Executive Officer of Community Counseling and Correctional Services, a Butte - based, not for profit corporation, which provides local, state, and federal corrections and human services. Through Mike's leadership, the company has grown from 12 employees in 1983 too almost 600 employees in 13 facilities in 3 states. His company employs 350 people in Southwest Montana alone. Mike has been instrumental in the development of programs to serve both youth and adult offenders.
In addition to his professional life, Mike has emerged as an outstanding civic and community leader. He has stepped forward to organize several benefits for families and individuals in the Butte community. He is an advocate of youth and social activities in Southwest Montana. Mike and his wife Deb (Merritt) have been dedicated supporters of Butte Central Schools and have worked on numerous fundraising activities, including the Calcutta and Evening Auction. They are the proud parents of BC graduates Sarah (2000), Lindsay (2002), Kelci (2007), and Danny (2011). [. . .]
I enjoyed reading The Montana Standard’s recent article on the revitalization of Butte’s East Side, and the importance of Butte-Silver Bow’s second tax increment district. That district encompasses what was once the location of vibrant neighborhoods, schools and churches.
It is refreshing and exciting to see development of this area, which was demolished to make room for mining activities that never materialized. As the area begins to come back to life, congratulations are due to private investors and the tax increment program.
However, I found it interesting that The Montana Standard’s reporter neglected to mention several of the earliest and most extensive projects that led to the East Side redevelopment. These include the Belmont Senior Center, the grassy-sloped area on the southeast corner of the Belmont headframe, the Berkeley Pit Viewing Stand, the Maroon Activities Center and the Torger Oaas Football Field.
Without a doubt these projects were the genesis of the East Side development and without their development, confidence would not have occurred for the current redevelopment efforts now underway.
I would be remiss to neglect mentioning CCCS, AWARE, Inc., the Butte Public Housing Authority, and Continental Public Land Trust (CPLT), for their significant efforts in developing other parts of the development. These, too, were neglected by The Montana Standard’s report on the East Side revitalization.
As the executive director of the Butte Central Education Foundation, let me address the impact of the Maroon Activities Center, commonly referred to as the MAC. There can be no question that the MAC has had a remarkable impact on not only the East Side redevelopment, but also the entire Butte Community.
The 19 acres where the MAC and the adjoining Torger Oaas Football Field sit was acquired from MERDI, which received significant east side properties from the Washington Corp. MERDI first offered the property to the YMCA and later to the Carousel Project. Both of these organizations had their reasons for declining acceptance of the property for their planned development.
The Butte Central Foundation accepted the property, which provided the impetus for the construction of the Walsh/MacLeod Arena and the Torger Oaas Football Field. In total, the entire property where the MAC and the Torger Oaas Football Field sit encompasses a significant portion of the entire new tax increment district.
The original intent for the MAC was to provide needed practice facilities for Butte Central athletic teams. For over 100 years, Butte Central did not have facilities to conduct their athletic activities, and were dependent on rental of public facilities when available.
As the project evolved, the Butte Central Foundation and its supporters decided to build a larger facility to serve not only Butte Central students, but also the entire community. An aggressive campaign resulted in the construction of one of Montana’s finest high school arenas. The MAC, with its 3,200-seat main arena, has served not only Butte Central but also the community at large.
The MAC is perhaps one of the busiest buildings in Butte. Now, in its sixth year of operation, it opens every morning and remains busy with activities until late evening. Not only is the building open for Butte Central teams, but is also available for a variety of uses including adult and senior citizen fitness programs, family celebrations, wedding receptions, club volleyball programs, neighborhood and class reunions, benefits for families in medical crises, bridge tournaments and Frontier Conference basketball tournaments.
The MAC is especially proud of the impact it has on the Butte community. A NorthWestern Energy economist recently calculated the economic impact of the MAC’s activities using a State Chamber of Commerce formula.
That economist estimated that visitors to the MAC generate over $2.5 million annually to the Butte economy. In six years of operation the MAC has added between $14 million and $15 million to our local economy.
As the East Side redevelopment moves ahead, we look forward to being a strong supporter of the redevelopment efforts. The redevelopment efforts are indeed exciting, and the MAC and the Butte Central Foundation want to be an active participant as we expand and improve our facilities.
We are especially looking forward to the massive American flag display to take place on the grassy slope east and south of the Belmont headframe in July. This display, which is sponsored by the Butte Exchange Club, will be stark evidence that the East Side development project is alive and well, and will continue to be part of Butte’s economic future.
As we look to that future, the Maroon Activities Center is committed to support the continued growth of Butte’s East Side. We are excited to be part of this positive redevelopment effort and we look forward to bigger and better things for Uptown Butte and our community.
— Don Peoples, Jr. is the executive director of the Butte Central Education Fund.
CCCS locks up Pig Bowl
Montana Standard, 6/26/11
The Pig Bowl provided some, like Russ Robertson, a chance to relive the glory. For others, like Bobby Olson, football was a rather new experience.
The goal, though, Saturday was to raise money for the event’s three charities this year — Mariah’s Challenge, Montana Special Olympics and David DeLaittre Scholarship Fund.
Such was realized — as was the 28-13 win by Community Counseling Correctional Services (CCCS) over the Butte Police Athletic League (BPAL) in the second annual holding of the exhibition tackle football game.
A crowd of about 500, similar to last year’s (not 3,000 as erroneously reported in the Saturday game preview) viewed and applauded from the Alumni Coliseum stands on a summery, but breezy day.
Robertson, a Butte police sergeant, showed nimbleness that blied his age of 43 years as he quarterbacked and played linebacker for the BPAL team.
“It was a good game,” the former Deer Lodge sports star said. “A few mistakes cost us the game. But a lot of people showed up and donated a lot of money. That was the main thing.”
Robertson said staying in shape is a natural part of his job. So there was no special need to get fit for football. The police players already were.
“We have to be in shape to deal with crap most people don’t ever see,” he said.
So, the physical aspect of the game was just fun, for men on both sides of the ball.
CCCS was able to dominate the second half with quarterback Mark Dennehy and former Montana Tech running back Cole Berg carrying the load behind a huge offensive line.
The game atmosphere took a more worrisome tone in the fourth quarter when CCCS cornerback Chris Tierney was taken by stretcher and ambulance off the field. He was in obvious pain and a neck and/or back injury was feared. He suffered the injury when he landed awkwardly on his neck and upper back after defending on a pass play with 8 minutes, 15 seconds left in the game.
BPAL scored first on a 27-yard fumble recovery and return by Kyle Barsness and then Berg tallied on a 3-yard run after a 72-yard punt by Josh Robinson.
The police got a 46-yard pass play from Robertson to Bryce Foley for a 13-7 lead by the end of the first quarter.
Gene Taylor tackled Foley in the end zone for a safety to pull CCCS closer to the lead midway through the second quarter and then the correctors took the lead for good on a 5-yard TD run by Berg.
No more scoring occurred until the fourth quarter when Berg and Dennehy tacked on short touchdown runs.
Barsness, Foley and CCCS’ Beau Baltezar all recovered fumbles in the game. There were no interceptions.
The 6-foot-9 and filled-out Olson was a basketball standout for Butte High and the University of Montana Grizzlies. He now is a supervisor for CCCS and his size made him a candidate for line play for the football team.
“I don’t know about that, but I’ve enjoyed it,” he commented about his “second” sports career. “I don’t know a lot about it. I just go where they put me. I wish I had played it in high school. I didn’t even play football in junior high. But the basketball did work out pretty well.”
He was effective as a snowplow-type blocker on sweeps in Saturday’s game. He said he and his teammates got into shape by starting workouts two months ago.
“It takes a lot of dedication,” he said. “There were a lot of guys showing up every practice. But we had a blast (playing Saturday) and so it was well worth it.”
CCCS has won both games in the Pig Bowl series. Last year’s was a close contest, too, decided by a 20-14 score.
Total money raised by the event is to be published in The Montana Standard sometime in the next few days, organizers said.
NFL player Colt Anderson, of the Philadelphia Eagles, took part in ceremonies at the game and stayed to watch it while interacting with fans. Anderson is a Butte native and starred for UM, also.’
Jerseys provided by him and fellow Montana NFLers Kroy Biermann (Hardin and the Atlanta Falcons), Dan Carpenter (Helena and the Miami Dolphins) and Marc Mariani (Havre and the Tennessee Titans) were raffled off during the game.
BPAL 13 0 0 0 — 13
CCCS 7 8 0 13 + 28
First Quarter
BPAL — Kyle Barsness 27 fumble recovery (Jarett Branson kick), 9:24.
CCCS — Cole Berg 3 run (Josh Robinson kick), 1:46.
BPAL — Bryce Foley 46 pass from Russ Robertson (kick failed), :47.
Second Quarter
CCCS — Safety, Gene Taylor tackled Foley in end zone, 5:28.
CCCS — Berg 5 run (run failed), :23.
Third Quarter
No scoring.
Fourth Quarter
CCCS — Berg 4 run (kick failed), 9:39.
CCCS — Mark Dennehy 1 run (Robinson kick), 5:24.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — BPAL (20-26) — Josh Stearns 5-30, Russ Robertson 7-1, Kyle Barsness 2-(-1), Bryce Foley 2-(-2), Anthony Jurenic 4-(-2). CCCS (44-267) — Cole Berg 19-117, Mark Dennehy 15-92, Scott Mansanti 7-35, Travis Hettick 3-23.
PASSING — BPAL (4-8-0-83) — Robertson 4-7-0-83, Jurenic 0-1-0-0. CCCS (4-6-0-72) — Dennehy 4-6-0-72.
RECEIVING — BPAL — Foley 3-82, Jurenic 1-1. CCCS — Nick Jeffery 1-31, Mike Bauer 1-21, Berg 2-20.
Along the Divide: New JP learning the ropes
Montana Standard, 4/25/11
ANACONDA — Behind the bench in Anaconda justice court, new Justice of the Peace Larry Pahut uses whatever spare time he has for legal research.
An open copy of Montana Code Annotated is littered with multi-colored highlights and Post-it notes. Case files are full with information, motions and jury instructions for coming trials.
Elected a little more than three months ago, Pahut, 61, must know and understand it all in detail. Every defendant must receive equal treatment. Procedures must be consistent.
“At times, it’s overwhelming,” Pahut said. “Every day is an important learning experience. There are different situations every time.”
The novice judge is tasked with jurisdiction over misdemeanor matters, including criminal, traffic and hunting offenses.
“You really need to know these laws to make sure everyone gets a fair shake,” he said.
Formerly a counselor technician with the Warm Springs Addictions Treatment and Change program, or WATCh, Pahut already knows the importance of good listening skills and impartiality.
Pahut spent eight years teaching anger management, cognitive principles and restructuring classes to felony drunk driving offenders. They all have their stories, he said, but he learned not to get sentimental.
Some were reluctant to take responsibility for their actions — similar to some others now before him in the courtroom.
“I would tell them they’re making a choice, and with those choices come consequences,” he said. “We want to make people accountable for their actions.”
Looking for a change, Pahut filed for justice of the peace when he learned former former Judge JoAnne Welch would retire after three terms.
Pahut won the race last November, and said he feels he is doing a service to the community.
“I wanted to give back,” he said.
Pahut still keeps in touch with Welch, and she offers whatever help she can. They talk about once every other week, and he is not afraid to ask questions, Welch said.
The interpretation of laws is up to each individual judge, but Welch can give tips on procedural matters that would otherwise stump someone new to the job, she said.
“He is doing very well, and he is very dedicated,” Welch said. “I’m very proud of him.”
Both Pahut and Welch recognized the further expertise of the two justice court clerks, Tina McKenney and Melissa Trainor.
“They are a superb help to any new judge,” Welch said.
Deputy County Attorney Ellen Donohue works with Pahut on an almost daily basis, and has noticed an improvement over his first few months.
Primarily, Donohue said Pahut is willing to put in the work to get a good grasp on his duties.
“He’s taking this seriously, and he’s putting in the time,” Donohue said. “I think we’re lucky to have him.”
With his family’s support, Pahut said he will continue to hit the books to make sure he makes the right decisions.
“This is something I’m glad I did,” he said. “I enjoy coming to work here.”
A gavel on Justice of the Peace Larry Pahut’s desk illustrates support from his former co-workers.
This page was last updated on 02/07/12.
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