The Real Cost of Prisons Weblog

"It's kind of ironic," Hopkins said.

For Hopkins and 28 other area inmates, Friday was move-in day at
Passages, the newest women-only state inmate facility. The new center
is operated by Alternatives Inc., a Billings-based nonprofit
organization that provides pre-release supervision, assessment and
treatment programs.

Home to 155 female inmates

Administrator Dave Armstrong said another group of women, many from
the Montana Women's Prison a few blocks away, will be brought to the
new facility next Friday. The remaining inmates will take up
residence in the 80,000-square-foot former hotel by late March or
early April. At capacity, the facility will house 155 female inmates.

Alternatives purchased the building from the hotel company for about
$5 million, Armstrong said. Remodeling, which includes some security
measures and a kitchen, will cost another $2 million when complete.
Alternatives also is moving many of its administrative offices to the
building from its current location on First Avenue North.

The opening of the new facility comes after lengthy negotiations and
a series of public hearings at which some residents spoke against the
opening of another corrections facility on the South Side.

But the organization got approval from the City Council last May,
agreeing to pay the city $40,000 a year to make up for lost taxes. In
September, Gov. Brian Schweitzer's administration approved the
project by permitting the state Department of Corrections to
privatize the Billings Assessment and Sanction Center, which had
operated out of the Montana Women's Prison.

The facility will ease some of the crowding at state and local prison
and jail facilities by housing women inmates approved for pre-release
programs and treatment.

'Immediate impact'

"Basically, this building is designed to relieve some of the prison
overcrowding and has had an immediate impact," Armstrong said while
watching the first group settle into their new surroundings.

A staff of about 60 people will work at the center, including 24
security officers. Jan Beggers, a longtime Alternatives employee, is
the director.

For Hopkins and her roommate, Lenna Coates of Bozeman, the facility
was a welcome change.

"No bars," said Coates as she looked around the room, which included
two queen-size beds and a dresser. The women said they also
appreciate the private bath and shower.

"This environment is really healthy," said Hopkins, 36, who is
serving time for forgery and recently graduated from a state boot
camp program for women. She will be eligible for release in about six
months, she said.
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/01/20/news/local/30-
hotel.txt