Flathead County is facing significant challenges with its current jail, built in 1986, which suffers from overcrowding, safety issues, inadequate mental health services, and limited rehabilitation space. The existing facility, with a maximum safe capacity of 96 despite having 154 beds, forces difficult decisions about inmate release due to space constraints. To address these problems, the county has proposed building a new $105 million Public Safety Facility that would double inmate capacity, improve safety with modern technology, and provide specialized housing for violent and mentally ill offenders. The new facility would also include the Sheriff’s Office, a courtroom, and the Office of Emergency Services, aiming to enhance operational efficiency and inmate rehabilitation programs.

The proposed 118,200-square-foot facility would house 200 general population inmates plus 42 beds for special needs, requiring only a modest increase in staff. It promises better living and working conditions through improved design features like natural light, ventilation, and noise reduction. The county has already purchased land and allocated $18 million toward the project, with construction potentially starting in 2026 and lasting three years. Voters will decide in November whether to approve the bond, which would slightly increase property taxes but aims to resolve long-standing issues that have compromised safety and accountability in the county’s justice system.