Montana Women's Prison is a medium state correctional facility in Billings, MT, operated by the Montana Department of Corrections. Inmates here are serving sentences of one year or more under Montana law. This page was last verified August 2026.
"Montana Women's Prison is a state correctional facility in Billings, MT, operated by the Montana Department of Corrections."
InmateAid has been helping families navigate state prisons, county jails, and federal facilities since 2012. Our founder served 66 months in federal custody. We know what long-term incarceration looks like from the inside, and we built this resource so families do not have to figure it out alone. InmateAid holds a BBB A+ rating.
"My husband has been at a state prison for three years. InmateAid helped me figure out visits, calls, and how to support him through programs. It made an impossible situation manageable."
-- A spouse in Montana
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If your family member has been transferred into Montana Department of Corrections custody, the Montana Department of Corrections maintains an online inmate search you can use to confirm their current location and assignment. You can also use InmateAid's inmate locator to search by name across Montana facilities.
State prison assignments can change - people are moved between facilities for classification, programming, disciplinary reasons, or population management. If they were recently transferred into DOC custody, give the system 24 to 48 hours to update before assuming results are wrong. You can also pull their arrest record and conviction details to confirm the case status. For direct questions, call Montana Women's Prison at 406-247-5100.
Most people do not go directly from arrest to a state prison. After sentencing, your family member is transported from the county jail to a Montana Department of Corrections intake or reception facility where they are processed, evaluated, and assigned to a permanent institution. That process typically takes two to six weeks depending on the state and current facility capacity.
During the reception period communication is often limited and the facility assignment is temporary. Do not set up phone accounts or plan visits until you have confirmed the permanent assignment - it will almost certainly not be the reception facility. Once the permanent assignment is made, the Montana Department of Corrections inmate locator will update with the new location. That is the moment to set up calls, plan your first visit, and get money on the books. Read InmateAid's what to expect in prison guide for a full walkthrough of the intake and transfer process.
Montana Women's Prison is a medium security facility. Security level determines the level of supervision, freedom of movement, programs available, and the general daily experience for the people inside.
In most state systems: minimum security means lower supervision, more movement, and access to work programs and community activities. Medium security is the most common level - structured but not maximum restriction. Maximum or close custody means the highest supervision, most restricted movement, and most limited program access. Security levels can change based on behavior, new charges, or sentence stage - your family member's level may shift over time. Contact Montana Women's Prison at 406-247-5100 or the Montana Department of Corrections directly for specific information about what medium means at this facility.
"Contact Montana Women's Prison at 406-247-5100 or the Montana Department of Corrections to confirm the security classification at this facility and what it means for daily life, programs, and visitation."
Your family member calls you - you cannot call them.
Calls from Montana Women's Prison go through the facility's contracted phone provider. Visit InmateAid's prison calls page to find the current provider for this facility and get your account set up before the first call.
Regular phone contact is one of the most consistent factors in how well someone manages a long sentence. It matters more than most people on the outside realize.
State prison visitation requires advance registration in most Montana facilities. You cannot show up without being on the approved visitor list. Contact Montana Women's Prison at 406-247-5100 or visit the Montana Department of Corrections website to begin the registration process - approval can take days to weeks, so start early.
Once approved, visitation hours and rules are set by the facility and can change. General rules across most Montana state prisons: dress conservatively, avoid colors or patterns that resemble inmate clothing, leave your phone and valuables in your car or facility lockers, bring valid government-issued ID, and follow the facility dress code strictly - violations mean a turned-away visit. Children require specific authorization in most state systems. Read InmateAid's prison visitation guide for a full checklist and Montana-specific registration guidance.
Visits are worth the effort. For someone serving years, a face-to-face visit is something they think about for weeks before and after. Do not let the process discourage you.
MT DOC - Montana Women’s Prison
Visiting hours & Kids’ Day
Before traveling to the Montana Women’s Prison, please call (406) 247-5118 for any changes to the visiting schedule.
Visitors are required to check in 30 minutes before the scheduled visiting time.
MWP asks visitors from the local area to visit on Tuesdays and Thursdays if possible, to allow time for out-of-town visitors who can travel to Billings only on weekends. When the maximum capacity of the visiting room (44 people) is reached, out-of-town visitors are given priority over local visitors.
Normal visiting hours at Montana Women's Prison:
| Tuesday | 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. |
| Thursday | 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. |
| Friday | 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. |
| Saturday** | 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. |
| 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | |
| Sunday | 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. |
| 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. |
** Kids’ Day – Every third Saturday of the month is Kids’ Day. This is only for children who have been approved and scheduled through the prison’s Parenting Program; no drop-ins are allowed.
- Teens may visit from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
- Children 12 and under may visit from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- On Kids’ Day, visitors other than children may only visit from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Who may visit
Family and friends who wish to visit an inmate must first complete a Visitation Questionnaire and be added to the inmate’s approved visitor list.
- Questionnaires must be filled out completely and include the prospective visitor's full name, Social Security number, date of birth and gender. The form is available online or the offender may mail it to prospective visitors.
- Mail the completed questionnaire to:
- Visitation Officer
701 South 27th Street
Billings, MT 59701 - Phone: (406) 247-5118
- Visitation Officer
- Individuals must be approved at least 72 hours prior to their planned visit to the Montana Women's Prison. Approval is based on a criminal background check.
- The offender notifies prospective visitors of their approval or denial.Questions regarding denial must be directed to the Visiting Officer. You may appeal a denial by writing a letter to the Deputy Warden of Security.
- Visitors may be on only one inmate's visiting list at a time, unless an exception is approved by the Warden or Deputy Warden of Security.
- Unless pre-approved, no more than five approved people (including children) may visit an offender at one time.
What visitors can and can’t bring with them
Visitor searches – All visitors entering the facility are subject to search via a walk-through or hand-held metal detector, drug detection dogs and, when appropriate, pat-down searches.
- All items carried by visitors are subject to search by entrance staff.
Prohibited items – Visitors may not bring:
- weapons, narcotics, alcohol and tobacco products (cigarettes and chewing tobacco)
- food, drinks or gum from outside the prison. Vending machines are available in the visiting area for visitors and offenders.
Contraband will be confiscated, local law enforcement may be called, and the visit may be denied. See MWP Prohibited Items for a more detailed list.
Allowed items – Most personal items must be left outside the facility. See the MWP Visitor Information pamphlet for a list of allowed items.
Photo ID required – All visitors over the age of 16 must bring a photo ID.
In addition to the required photo identification, visitors may bring the following into the prison:
- one handkerchief
- one small plastic comb (no pick, brushes or rat-tail combs)
- eyeglasses
- prescribed medical appliances (must have medical need documentation)
- medications approved on a case-by-case basis – contact the Visitation Officer at (406) 247-5118 for pre-approval
- no more than $15 in quarters in a clear plastic bag
Visitors with small children may also bring one diaper bag containing the following items (secured in the visiting foyer):
- one clear plastic bottle of formula/juice
- one new factory-sealed container of baby formula
- one factory-sealed jar of baby food and a plastic spoon
- four diapers
- one baby blanket (not quilted and no larger than 3' x 3')
- baby carrier (secured in the visiting foyer)
- one small toy
Appropriate clothing
Appropriate clothing must be worn throughout a visit. Visitors are expected to be well-groomed. All visitors must stay appropriately dressed throughout the visit; this includes wearing footwear at all times. Violations of the dress code are cause for ending the visit.
Coats, shawls, ponchos, down-filled vests, jackets, headscarves, hats and caps are checked in and kept on a coat rack in the visiting foyer.
The following clothing is not allowed:
- tank tops, tube tops, spandex, Lycra, see-through fabric or clothing with holes
- tops that expose the midriff or show excessive cleavage
- tops with hoods
- bib overalls and wind pants
- culottes, shorts, skirts and dresses that are above mid-thigh level
Conditions of visiting
Visitors and offenders are permitted a brief front-to-front embrace, including a brief facial kiss at the beginning and at the end of a visit. They may hold hands during the visit. All other forms of physical contact are prohibited and are cause for ending a visit. PETTING and FONDLING are prohibited, and hands must be kept in view of the Visiting Room Officer at all times.
Children 10 and under may sit on the offender's lap during visiting. The offender and visitor are responsible for supervising the behavior of children during the visit. If after being warned, they fail to control a child's behavior, the visit will be ended.
Separate bathroom facilities are designated for offenders and visitors. Visitors must accompany children 10 and under to the restroom. With the exception of using the restroom, if visitors leave the visiting area, the visit has ended. Visitors may not return to the same visiting session.
No items may be directly exchanged between offenders and visitors – Visitors are provided a pamphlet (LINK) that explains in more detail the dos and don'ts, and other rules governing visitation.
How to take hobby items or other property out of the prison – Hobby items and property may be sent out with an approved visitor if the offender has an approved kite that was given to the Visiting Officer prior to visiting. At the end of the visit, the Visiting Officer gives the property to the visitor, and officer and visitor both sign and date the kite.
Special visits
Visits of otherwise unapproved visitors, extended visits, or visits on non-visiting days may be approved by the Visiting Officer on a case-by-case basis.
Legal visits – Attorneys need to call 24 hours in advance and are expected to arrive on time or the visit may be denied due to institutional time constraints. Attorneys must present proper credentials, including photo identification. They are subject to search and all other Department of Corrections institutional rules and regulations.
Attorney visits are scheduled Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Officers may watch but may not listen to conversations between offenders and attorneys. Attorneys and offenders may exchange written material that has previously been searched, without being read. A non-contact booth is available to assure confidentiality.
Hospitalized offenders – Hospitalized offenders are not generally allowed visitors or phone calls. Exceptions (i.e. long-term or critically ill offenders) must be approved by the Deputy Warden of Security on a case-by-case basis.
- Visits to offenders in medical isolation require approval by prison medical personnel.
Special housing cases – Offenders in maximum and administrative segregation may be allowed one visit a week, in the non-contact booth, if approved by the Visitation Supervisor or Deputy Warden of Security.
The commissary account - also called the trust account - gives your family member access to hygiene items, snacks, phone time, postage, and in some facilities tablets and email services. For a long sentence, keeping money on the books is one of the most sustained practical contributions you can make.
Steps to send money to Montana Women's Prison:
1. Go to InmateAid's send money page to confirm the approved deposit method for this facility
2. Have your family member's full legal name and Montana Department of Corrections inmate number ready - not the old county booking number, the DOC number assigned at intake
3. Choose online deposit, phone deposit, or facility kiosk
4. Use the name and number exactly as they appear in the DOC system - any error will delay or reject the deposit
Mail is a lifeline for people serving long sentences. A letter written on a Tuesday arrives on a Friday and gets read multiple times. Do not underestimate it.
Montana Women's Prison accepts incoming mail addressed to your family member at 701 S 27th St. Include their full legal name and Montana Department of Corrections inmate number on every piece - not the county booking number. Standard rules at most Montana state prisons: plain white paper only, no staples, no glitter, no stickers, no colored ink. Photos should be standard print size with nothing written on the back. State prisons tend to have stricter mail rules than county jails - when in doubt keep it simple or the mail will be rejected without notice.
InmateAid's send mail service prints and mails on approved stock from your phone or computer. Formatting rejection is not a risk.
Books and magazines must come new, ordered directly from the publisher or an online retailer. Order through Amazon or directly from the publisher - anything shipped from a personal address will be rejected.
Programs matter for two reasons: they make the time more bearable and in many states they affect parole eligibility and good-time credits. Encouraging your family member to participate is one of the best things you can do for their long-term outcome.
State prison programs vary by facility and security level but commonly include GED and high school equivalency courses, vocational and trade certification, substance abuse treatment, cognitive behavioral programs, religious programming, and work assignments. Contact Montana Women's Prison at 406-247-5100 to ask specifically which programs are available at this facility and what the enrollment process looks like. Program availability changes based on funding and staffing - what was offered last year may not be offered now.
Most people in Montana state prisons will be eligible for parole consideration before completing their full sentence, depending on the offense and sentencing structure. Parole is not automatic - it requires a hearing, a parole plan, and in most states a review of institutional behavior, program participation, and victim input.
Families play a real role in the parole process. A stable release address, demonstrated family support, and a documented reentry plan all strengthen a parole application. Start thinking about this early - not the week before the hearing but as soon as your family member is assigned to their permanent facility. InmateAid's parole and probation guide covers the process in Montana including how hearings work, what the board looks for, and what families can do to support a successful outcome.
Note on sentencing structure: parole eligibility varies significantly by state and offense type. Some Montana sentences are determinate - meaning the release date is fixed and parole as traditionally understood does not apply. Contact the Montana Department of Corrections or a Montana-licensed attorney for guidance specific to your family member's sentence structure.
People in state prison retain specific legal rights even while incarcerated - the right to medical care, the right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment, the right to access the courts, and protections against excessive force. If your family member experiences a serious problem at Montana Women's Prison, there are channels to address it.
The Montana Department of Corrections has a formal grievance process your family member can initiate from inside. If the internal process does not resolve the issue, outside advocacy organizations, legal aid, and in serious cases federal civil rights complaints are available. InmateAid's inmate rights guide explains what rights are protected, how the grievance process works in Montana, and when to involve outside help.
The Montana Department of Corrections system is its own world - policies, programs, visitation rules, phone vendors, and what happens at release all vary in ways that matter to your family. InmateAid's Montana prison resources hub covers all of it in one place, written specifically for families navigating the Montana system.
Have a specific question from someone who has been through it? Browse real questions and answers at InmateAid Montana Q&A.
Frequently Asked Questions about Montana Women's Prison
How long does the DOC intake process take after sentencing?
After sentencing most people spend two to six weeks at a Montana Department of Corrections reception facility before being assigned to a permanent institution. During that period they are evaluated for security level, programming needs, and facility placement. Location will change - do not set up phone accounts or plan visits until the permanent assignment is confirmed in the DOC inmate locator.
What is the difference between state prison and county jail?
County jail is a short-term facility operated by the county sheriff, typically holding people awaiting trial or serving sentences under one year. State prison is operated by the Montana Department of Corrections for sentences of one year or more after conviction. Montana Women's Prison is a state prison - your family member has been convicted and sentenced, and their case has moved past the pretrial stage.
How do I find my family member's DOC inmate number?
The Montana Department of Corrections assigns a unique inmate number at reception intake. This number - not the county booking number - is what you need for phone accounts, money deposits, and mail. Find it through the Montana Department of Corrections inmate search online or by calling Montana Women's Prison at 406-247-5100.
Can my family member earn early release through good behavior or programs?
Most Montana sentences carry some form of good time credit or program credit that can reduce time served before parole eligibility. The specific rules depend on the offense, sentence structure, and Montana Department of Corrections policy. Contact Montana Women's Prison or the Montana Department of Corrections directly for information on your family member's specific situation.
What should I do if I am concerned about my family member's safety inside?
Contact Montana Women's Prison at 406-247-5100 immediately if you have a specific credible safety concern. If you do not receive a satisfactory response, escalate to the Montana Department of Corrections central office. For serious concerns involving threats, assault, or retaliation, InmateAid's inmate rights guide covers the escalation process and outside advocacy options.
Long sentences change everything - the rhythms of family life, the way you plan, what you hope for and when. The families who do best are the ones who stay connected consistently over time, not just in the first months. Calls, letters, visits when possible, money on the books. And knowing that when something goes wrong inside, there are people on the outside paying attention.
InmateAid was built for the long road. We are not going anywhere either.