MSP Water Updates
MSP Water Updates
Frequently Asked Questions
Do inmates have access to water?
Yes, inmates have access to water. There were more than 30,000 water bottles delivered on Friday, and more are being delivered Saturday. The department is working with Montana Disaster Emergency Services to have 15,000 gallons of drinking water delivered on Saturday.
Do inmates have access to bathrooms?
Yes, inmates have access to facilities. They are being escorted to parts of the prison that still have access to water and portable toilets have been brought onsite to Montana State Prison.
MSP Water Updates (Oct. 11, 2025)
On Saturday, the Montana Department of Corrections (DOC) continued to work and monitor a broken water pipe at Montana State Prison (MSP).
“The Department is working as quickly as possible to find the break and restore all services to Montana State Prison,” DOC Director Brian Gootkin said. “We’re thankful for the long hours staff have already put in and to our partners who have stepped up to help out.”
DOC is committed to ensuring inmates and staff have access to the limited water available at the MSP. The department had 50 portable toilets delivered to MSP on Friday and is in the process of ordering portable showers for the facility. Regular services like meals have not been affected. Inmate services and recreation have not been impacted.
Additionally, the Montana National Guard was mobilized and arrived at MSP at 1 p.m. on Saturday to help deliver 15,000 gallons of water from the city of Deer Lodge to the main water tank. The National Guard will be available throughout the weekend to help resupply the main water tank if needed. Pallets of water bottles will continue to be delivered to the facility throughout the weekend and into next week.
Probation and Parole Officers from Missoula and Helena are at MSP to assist with security.
Once the break in the pipe is found, the water will need to be tested by the Department of Environmental Quality to ensure it is safe for inmates to use.
“The Department is working as quickly as possible to find the break and restore all services to Montana State Prison,” DOC Director Brian Gootkin said. “We’re thankful for the long hours staff have already put in and to our partners who have stepped up to help out.”
DOC is committed to ensuring inmates and staff have access to the limited water available at the MSP. The department had 50 portable toilets delivered to MSP on Friday and is in the process of ordering portable showers for the facility. Regular services like meals have not been affected. Inmate services and recreation have not been impacted.
Additionally, the Montana National Guard was mobilized and arrived at MSP at 1 p.m. on Saturday to help deliver 15,000 gallons of water from the city of Deer Lodge to the main water tank. The National Guard will be available throughout the weekend to help resupply the main water tank if needed. Pallets of water bottles will continue to be delivered to the facility throughout the weekend and into next week.
Probation and Parole Officers from Missoula and Helena are at MSP to assist with security.
Once the break in the pipe is found, the water will need to be tested by the Department of Environmental Quality to ensure it is safe for inmates to use.
The Montana National Guard arrived at Montana State Prison on Saturday and helped deliver 15,000 gallons of water to the main water tank at Montana State Prison.
Past Updates
The Montana Department of Corrections staff responded to a water pipe break at Montana State Prison on Friday morning.
MSP maintenance responded immediately to the issue and is working on locating the break. The break occurred in the pipe carrying water from the well house to the main water tank, which supplies water to the secure compound. Sletten Construction is assisting the department in repair efforts by providing additional excavation equipment.
This water outage affected the secure compound at MSP; the dairy and Work and Reentry Center were not impacted.
Inmates will be provided with water bottles and regular services, like meals, have not been affected. Inmates have not been relocated due to the water pipe break. The department is working with Montana Disaster Emergency Services to get 15,000 gallons of water to the main water tank.
The department established its Incident Command System (ICS) to manage any situations that may arise. This group includes members from divisions across the department.
“Our team has been working diligently at the Montana State Prison to respond swiftly to this issue,” DOC Director Brian Gootkin said. “We are committed to ensuring inmates have access to water and all regular services."
MSP maintenance responded immediately to the issue and is working on locating the break. The break occurred in the pipe carrying water from the well house to the main water tank, which supplies water to the secure compound. Sletten Construction is assisting the department in repair efforts by providing additional excavation equipment.
This water outage affected the secure compound at MSP; the dairy and Work and Reentry Center were not impacted.
Inmates will be provided with water bottles and regular services, like meals, have not been affected. Inmates have not been relocated due to the water pipe break. The department is working with Montana Disaster Emergency Services to get 15,000 gallons of water to the main water tank.
The department established its Incident Command System (ICS) to manage any situations that may arise. This group includes members from divisions across the department.
“Our team has been working diligently at the Montana State Prison to respond swiftly to this issue,” DOC Director Brian Gootkin said. “We are committed to ensuring inmates have access to water and all regular services."
Map of MSP Water Pipe Break
