The new Missoula County Detention Center opened almost 15 years ago, with broad community support, however, in recent months, the jail has reached its maximum capacity, and more space is needed.

Missoula County Commissioner Jean Curtiss said on Friday, that county officials have been meeting over the last several weeks examining different options to either increase the space needed for new inmates, or to reduce the number of inmates in the jail. As it stands today, the total capacity of the jail is about 400 men, women and juveniles.

"We've learned from studying the statistics that the average stay in the jail used to be about 10 days," Curtiss said. "Now, the average stay seems to be about 14 days. When the jail was built back in 1999, we received a sizable grant from the state, and in return, about a third of the beds are reserved for state inmates. We're looking at what it might take to let that contract expire, but that would cost the county to add more personnel and make up for the revenue that the state has been providing."

Curtiss said more training is also needed for justice court staff to help determine who should be placed in jail and who should be placed on work release or options other than incarceration.

Another complication is the increasing number of women at the jail who must be kept segregated from the male population.

"Many of these women should be at the Montana State Women's Prison, "Curtiss said. "But the state facility is also full. Another thing we're looking at, is where we can put more beds in that building. There is a place, if there were more like bunks or a dormitory setting. Plus, you have to evaluate where people need to be. Are they going to hurt themselves, or hurt others? Are they coming off drugs or coming off alcohol? There's just a lot to it."

Curtiss commented, 'hotels are lot cheaper to run than jails.'

Talks will continue with county officials in the coming weeks, as they attempt to balance the safety of the inmates, the safety of the staff with the county budget.

Missoula Count Commissioner Jean Curtiss

More From Newstalk KGVO 1290 AM & 98.3 FM