Court approves significant reforms for Lake County Jail
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
News from Upper Seven Law
MISSOULA — On Nov. 21, a federal court gave final approval to a settlement between the inmates of Lake County Jail and jail administrators. The jail agreed to several major changes, including adopting new policies and procedures and building both an outdoor recreation area and additional inmate housing units.
In 2021 and 2022, dozens of individual inmates filed lawsuits challenging the conditions of confinement at Lake County Jail as unconstitutional. After the court consolidated the lawsuits and certified the case as a class action lawsuit, the inmate class argued that the jail was overcrowded and that they were deprived of exercise and fresh air for weeks at a time. The changes agreed to will reduce overcrowding and give inmates daily access to the outdoors for exercise.
CSKT and Blackfeet inmates further alleged that the jail had allowed a Christian pastor to regularly visit the jail but provided no similar access to Native American religious leaders. As part of the settlement agreement, Lake County Jail administrators agreed to provide inmates access to Native American religious leaders.
“This agreement is a victory for inmates at the Lake County Jail and for the entire community,” said Constance Van Kley, attorney for plaintiffs. “No one should be forced to live without sunlight, fresh air, and the opportunity to exercise. Today marks a significant step toward a more humane Lake County Jail.”
