The Montana Department of Corrections announced today that an inmate died Monday due to COVID-19-related illness.

The Montana Department of Corrections announced today that an inmate died this week due to COVID-19-related illness.

The Montana Department of Corrections announced today that two inmates, one from Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge and another from Crossroads Correctional Center in Shelby, died recently due to COVID-19-related illness.

The Montana Department of Corrections logged its first COVID-19 cases among inmates at Montana State Prison (MSP) this week and continues to track and help manage the virus among facility employees to ensure the health and safety of offenders and staff at the prison.

COVID-19 testing conducted at MSP late last week identified eight cases of the virus in the facility’s inmate population. Staff cases at MSP totaled 23 as of this morning. Not all staff testing is conducted by the DOC; staff members are tested by their personal health care providers, local health departments, and more.

Jim Salmonsen, a 30-year employee of Montana State Prison, has been hired as the new warden at that facility, Montana Department of Corrections Director Reginald D. Michael announced Friday.