The Montana Department of Corrections (MDOC) toward the end of last year filed a lawsuit in district court against Flathead County for denying the agency’s conditional use permit application for a prerelease center in Evergreen, requesting that the decision be reversed.
MDOC officials accuse the Flathead County Board of Adjustment of abusing its discretion, resorting to “speculation lacking in facts and foundation,” and violating zoning regulations when they denied the permit, according to a complaint filed by Charity Yonker in Flathead County District Court on Oct. 31.
“The Montana Department of Corrections remains committed to partnering with the community in the establishment of a prerelease center to provide justice-involved individuals, particularly residents of the Flathead area, the support they need to be successful when they are release from prison or as an alternative to incarceration,” MDOC Director Brian Gootkin said in a statement to the Beacon…