Commissioner Shares Concerns on Proposed Mental Health Hospital in Billings

Yellowstone County Commissioner Mark Morse has released an opinion piece sharing his concerns about the State of Montana’s proposal to place a new forensic mental health hospital in Billings.

While Morse emphasizes that the need for additional mental health resources across the state is real, Morse says many questions remain unanswered about how such a facility would affect Yellowstone County.

Morse’s opinion letter was sent to Townsquare Media by Erika Guy, Administrative Assistant for the Yellowstone County Commissioners, and we are paraphrasing it here for you. 

What the State is Proposing

The State’s plan involves creating a forensic mental health hospital, a secured facility for individuals involved in the judicial system who require evaluation or treatment. Some patients may be found unfit to stand trial, while others could be hospitalized by court order or sentenced to the facility after conviction. Eventually, many of these individuals would return to the community.

Why Commissioner Morse Is Cautious

Morse notes that Yellowstone County already hosts more state and correctional programs than any other county in Montana, including the women’s prison, pre-release centers, sober living facilities, probationers, and offender treatment programs. He worries that adding another facility could further strain local neighborhoods and resources.

He also points to workforce shortages as a major concern. Local facilities such as the Yellowstone County Detention Facility, Billings Clinic Psychiatric Unit, Bridgemont Health & Wellness, and Rimrock Foundation already struggle with staffing. Morse says it is unrealistic to assume there are enough qualified workers to staff a new, specialized forensic facility.

Questions of Cost and Responsibility

Another issue raised in Morse’s opinion is funding. He points out that the State often reimburses Yellowstone County below the actual costs of holding state inmates at the local jail. That gap, he says, shifts the financial burden to county taxpayers. He questions whether the State would follow through on promises to be a “good partner” with the county on this new facility.

READ MORE: Montana Ranks 3rd for Suicide, but There Is Hope

Why It Matters to Billings Residents

According to Morse, Yellowstone County voters have already supported local mental health needs through a Public Safety Mental Health levy. That levy brings in about $1 to $1.5 million annually to fund local resources like Bridgemont Health & Wellness, the Crisis Center, and Rimrock Foundation. Morse believes those funds are already stretched thin and should not be expected to support patients from across the state.

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Making Your Voice Heard

Commissioner Morse encourages residents to share their thoughts on the proposal. Yellowstone County Commissioners can be reached by phone at 406-256-2701 or by email at commissioners@yellowstonecountymt.gov. Their office is located on the third floor of the Yellowstone County Courthouse at 217 N. 27th Street in Billings.

Morse also suggests contacting local legislators to discuss the matter, since they will play a role in shaping state decisions.