Aftermath Montana State Prison

anti-suicide cell angled bar



cell door in maximum security screen

warden powell decided severe segregation remaining instigators of riot in order, moved women prisoners out of building , housing across street. end in montana women s prison in billings, montana. converted small building maximum security facility had twenty-four high security , disciplinary cells. george alton spent 2 years in 1 of these cells, which, @ time, did not have plumbing. inmates provided honey bucket , , common practice recalcitrant inmates slosh contents of waste bucket @ passing guards, led installation of screens or wooden doors outside bars. 2 cells installed angled bar along 1 wall inmate hand- , ankle-cuffed prevent him suicide attempts, , 2 more converted black box cells, hole had been.

in years followed riot, floyd powell strove provide state of montana new facility. riot had raised awareness of need reform, 5 million dollar bond issue put citizens of state failed resounding 70%. large earthquake damaged cellblock 2 on 17 august 1959, , antiquated building condemned. destruction kept inmates busy few weeks, led severe overcrowding in cellblock 1. in 1961, governor nutter curtailed construction of new state buildings , state government cut funding prison in amount of $500,000. warden floyd powell resigned in february 1962, distraught , frustrated man .