The Montana Department of Corrections takes the threat associated with COVID-19 seriously and is dedicated to protecting the health and safety of its staff, the individuals under its supervision, and members of the public.
montana doc covid-19 testing information
As of Aug. 17, 2020, the chart on this page represents all types of testing for COVID-19 of staff and offenders at its secure facilities. This includes:
- Sentinel testing, which is conducted on individuals who do not demonstrate active symptoms (asymptomatic).This testing helps guide response efforts and better protect offenders and employees alike.
- Symptomatic testing, which is conducted on individuals who demonstrate active symptoms.
- Pre- medical procedure testing
Please note: The following chart may not represent all employee testing information. Should an employee be tested by a private health care provider or at a community testing event, the department would be notified only if the employee shared that information, or if an employee tested positive. In the event of a positive result, that information would be provided to the DOC by the employee, the local health department, and/or by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. The information about the positive result would be included on the chart below.
| Location |
Inmates Tested |
Inmates Confirmed |
Staff Tested |
Staff Confirmed |
| Secure - State |
|
|
|
|
| Montana State Prison |
550 |
0 |
99 |
0 |
| Montana Women's Prison |
295 |
1 |
95 |
0 |
| Pine Hills Correctional Facility |
51 |
0 |
49 |
0 |
| Riverside Special Needs Unit |
25 |
0 |
13 |
0 |
| Crossroads Correctional Center (contract facility) |
175 |
0 |
153 |
0 |
| Totals |
1,096 |
1 |
409 |
0 |
Because testing at the DOC's contract facilities involves testing through a variety of resources, the DOC will report only known, positive results at those facilities. The following chart reflects that information.
| Location |
Offenders confirmed |
Staff confirmed |
| Alpha House (Billings) |
10 |
2 |
| Gallatin Re-entry Program |
2 |
2 |
| Great Falls Prerelease Center |
2 |
0 |
| Nexus Treatment Center (Lewistown) |
6 |
0 |
| Passages (Billings) |
1 |
0 |
| Watch West (Warm Springs) |
0 |
4 |
| START (Anaconda) |
42 |
4 |
| Totals |
63 |
12 |
Resources for DOC COVID-19 response
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the department’s guiding resource for information about COVID-19. Our Clinical Services staff refer to the CDC for all protocol ranging from the proper way to disinfect surfaces to caring for infected individuals.
The DOC also relies heavily upon the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services and Montana Disaster and Emergency Services to assist with formulating appropriate responses to the threat of the virus and to remain up to date with the developing situation.
In addition, the Federal Bureau of Prisons provides the DOC with guidance specific to managing COVID-19 in custodial settings.