The Montana State Prison
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The Deer Lodge Prison
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After the building of the prison there were a few things that occurred locally. The conditions of early prisons may have caused many of these events, considering the reaction of many people as time went on.
In 1908 a women’s prison was built inside the Deer Lodge Prison and later in 1919 they made an art theatre, which was the first of its kind to be built within the walls of a prison. Despite these upgrades, there were still disputes between the guards and inmates and there was a growing tension between them until everything fell apart. In 1957 there was an early riot where prisoners went on strike where they chanted “we want rights.” This resulted in the creation of a recreation area, but even this could not stop the biggest riot yet to come. In 1959 the prisoners rioted, capturing 17 guards and holding them hostage. In case of fighting back from anyone outside they had 5 of their hostages ready to be hanged. Throughout that encounter 3 people died. In the words of Richard Charnock during the riot, “The senseless riot underway at the prison is even more senseless when measured against the firm compassion exhibited by ‘Warden Powell.’” After the riot, and 110 years of service, the prison shut down and was replaced by a newer facility. The prison still stands today as a symbol of the end of vigilanteism and barbaric actions.