Montana State Prison
Find messaging, video, and phone options for Montana State Prison. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- State Facility
- Security Level
- Maximum
- Inmate Capacity
- 1,000 approx.
- Established
- 1871
- Operated By
- Montana Department of Corrections (MDOC)
Montana State Prison Inmate Communication Overview
Montana State Prison is the primary maximum-security state prison in Montana, operated by the Montana Department of Corrections and located in Deer Lodge in Powell County, roughly 75 miles east of Missoula and 80 miles west of Helena. The facility has been operating in Deer Lodge since 1871, making it one of the oldest continuously operating prisons in the western United States. Montana State Prison houses adult male inmates at maximum, medium, and minimum security classifications and serves as the central institution in the Montana DOC system. Deer Lodge is a small town in the Deer Lodge Valley, and the prison complex is a prominent part of the local community.
Communication at Montana State Prison follows Montana DOC provider contracts. JPay handles electronic messaging, photo sharing, and money transfers. Families create a JPay account and add the inmate using their Montana DOC number to begin correspondence. GTL manages phone calls and video visitation under the MDOC statewide contract. The two-platform model applies: JPay for messaging and money, GTL for phone and video. Each platform requires a separate account and funding; stamps purchased on JPay cannot be used for GTL phone calls.
Deer Lodge sits along I-90 in the Deer Lodge Valley between Missoula and Butte. For Missoula-area families, the drive east on I-90 takes about 75 minutes. For Helena families, Deer Lodge is about 80 miles west, just over an hour. Families in Great Falls, Billings, or eastern Montana face longer drives, making electronic communication and GTL video visits particularly important for regular contact. Montana is a large state with significant driving distances between communities, and the prison's location roughly in the center-west of the state is not near most population centers. Montana DOC accounts carry over if an inmate transfers within the state system.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
400 Conley Lake Road, Deer Lodge, MT 59722
Main Phone
(406) 846-1320
Administrative line — not for inmate calls
Official Website
Visit official siteCommunication Options
Available communication services at Montana State Prison.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: JPay
Full JPay messaging available. Requires Montana DOC number.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: GTL
Remote video visits available. Schedule in advance through GTL.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Provider: JPay
Digital photos via JPay. Subject to MDOC content guidelines.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: GTL
Inmate-initiated calls via GTL. Fund AdvancePay account to receive calls.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: JPay
Trust account deposits via JPay for commissary and personal purchases.
Communication Providers at Montana State Prison
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
JPay
Electronic messaging, photo sharing, and trust account deposits. Uses Montana DOC number.
View JPay ServicesGTL
Phone calls and video visitation under the Montana DOC statewide contract.
View GTL ServicesCommunication Rules at Montana State Prison
- JPay and GTL are separate platforms. Messaging stamps and phone funds are not interchangeable.
- Messages are reviewed by MDOC staff before delivery.
- MDOC system-wide accounts carry over if the inmate transfers to another Montana facility.
- Video visits must be scheduled in advance through GTL.
- Senders must be on the inmate's approved contact list.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions: Montana State Prison
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I message someone at Montana State Prison?
- Create a JPay account at jpay.com and add the inmate using their Montana DOC number. Purchase stamps and compose your message. MDOC staff review messages before delivery, typically within 24 to 48 hours.
- How do I set up phone calls from Montana State Prison?
- Phone calls use GTL. Create an account at telmate.com or through the GTL Connect app. Set up a prepaid AdvancePay account linked to your phone number and add funds. The inmate calls you from facility phones.
- How far is Montana State Prison from Missoula and Helena?
- Montana State Prison is in Deer Lodge, about 75 miles east of Missoula and 80 miles west of Helena, roughly an hour to an hour and 15 minutes from either city on I-90. For families in Billings or Great Falls, the drive is longer, making electronic communication and GTL video visits more practical for regular contact.
- Is video visitation available at Montana State Prison?
- Yes, through GTL. Remote video visits are available and are especially useful for families in eastern Montana who face a long drive. Log into your GTL account, search for Montana State Prison, and schedule an available slot in advance.
- How do I send money to a Montana State Prison inmate?
- Trust account deposits are made through JPay. Log in, go to Send Money, and select Montana State Prison. Add funds via debit or credit card. Processing typically takes one to two business days.
- How do I find or search for an inmate at Montana State Prison?
- Use the Sheriff's office or department of corrections official inmate search or roster for Powell County, Montana. If the inmate does not appear, allow 24 to 72 hours after booking and try alternate spellings.
- How do I send mail to an inmate at Montana State Prison?
- Include the inmate's full name and ID on every envelope and follow the facility's mail rules. Confirm the current mailing address on the facility's official page before sending.
- Can I receive incoming calls from an inmate at Montana State Prison?
- No. Inmates can only call out, so you cannot call an inmate directly. The inmate must call you, and your number must be on their approved list.
- How do I block or stop calls from an inmate at Montana State Prison?
- Contact the facility's phone provider and ask to block the number, or block the number through your own phone carrier. You can also ask the facility to remove your number from the inmate's approved list.
- How do I schedule or cancel a video visit at Montana State Prison?
- Schedule video visits through the facility's video visit provider or visitation system. Cancel the same way, as early as possible, and check the facility's visitation page for its cancellation rules.
Troubleshooting at Montana State Prison
Fix the most common problems families hit with calls, video visits, money, and messaging.
- Why am I not receiving calls from an inmate?
- Inmates can only call out, so you cannot call an inmate directly. If expected calls are not coming through, check your phone's spam or silence-unknown-callers setting, since carriers often block jail numbers. Save the facility's number as a contact, confirm your number is on the inmate's approved list, and check whether your carrier blocks collect or prepaid calls. If several expected calls fail, contact the facility's phone provider support.
- Why is my inmate not showing up in search?
- New arrivals can take 24 to 72 hours to appear in search results, and people in transfer may temporarily disappear from listings. Try alternate spellings and name variations, and make sure you are searching the right system: the federal BOP locator only covers federal inmates, while county and state searches are separate. Some records are withheld for protective custody or sealed cases. If it has been more than a few days, call the facility's records office.
- I sent money but it is not showing in the inmate's account. What should I do?
- Allow processing time first. Electronic deposits can take hours and money orders can take much longer. Check your receipt and confirm the inmate's name and ID matched. Do not send a second payment until the first one is traced, since duplicate payments are hard to reverse. Contact the money-transfer provider's support with your receipt or confirmation number. If the inmate was recently transferred, funds may follow after a delay.
- Why was my video visit cancelled or cut off?
- Most cancellations come from connection problems or conduct-rule violations. Stay in frame, keep your ID ready, follow the dress code, keep other people off camera, and avoid profanity. Visits can also be cancelled for facility lockdowns or schedule changes. For refunds, contact the video provider's support with your visit details.
- What should I do if the facility changed its communications provider?
- Create an account with the new provider, since old accounts and balances do not transfer automatically. Ask the old provider whether refunds are available for unused balances. Confirm the new provider's phone, video, and messaging setup before your next visit or call.
- Why is my JPay account blocked?
- A blocked account usually means the inmate blocked contact, the account details do not match, or JPay flagged the account for review. Confirm the inmate's ID and facility, check for an 'inmate blocked' message, and contact JPay support if the block looks like an error. See our guide: JPay account locked
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