Facility Evolution
The history of Yellowstone County's detention facilities from 1884 to today.
A Facility Built in Stages
For more than 140 years, Yellowstone County has operated a detention facility to serve the community. The facility has been rebuilt, expanded, and modernized several times as the county has grown. The interactive timeline below walks through each major chapter including the buildings that came before the current Detention Facility on King Avenue East.
The First County Jail
Yellowstone County's first jail was constructed at 401 N. 27th Street in Billings — the building that now houses the Yellowstone Art Museum. It served the county for 77 years.
Move to the County Courthouse
The jail relocated to the 8th floor of the Yellowstone County Courthouse at 3rd Avenue North and North 27th Street, where it operated for 26 years.
Federal Court Order
In 1981, the American Civil Liberties Union filed suit on the deteriorating conditions and uncorrectable physical characteristics of the jail. A court order was issued by a U.S. District Judge to the Sheriff and Board of County Commissioners to correct the deficiencies. It was determined that it would not be cost efficient or feasible to renovate and expand the existing Jail at the Courthouse.
A New Detention Facility Opens
Yellowstone County built a new detention facility at 3165 King Avenue East. The new facility was dedicated on August 21, 1987, and was built on a 10-acre site to allow for future expansion. The original facility was designed to safely hold 174 inmates. It introduced a modern approach to inmate management that would become the standard nationwide.
First Expansion
The original design of the Facility allowed for the safe keeping of 174 inmates, on a ten-acre site, allowing for future expansion. By 1995, the inmate population had exceeded the original built capacity. Two dormitory-style housing units were added to hold 100 additional inmates. Construction began June 1996 and the units opened January 1997.
Women's Housing Wing
In 2018, the county was in the final stages of constructing a 148-bed women's unit, expanding dedicated female housing. At the time, the facility held 87 female beds with an average daily female population of 85.
72-Hour Hold Addition
The county added a short-term holding facility designed to house individuals for up to 72 hours. The short term detention facility is only rated to hold individuals for short stays. It is currently utilized primarily for probation and parole sanction beds and misdemeanor offenses. This facility was funded without a request to the public between the City of Billings and Yellowstone County.
Operating Beyond Capacity
The facility now houses more than 600 inmates on a typical day — in a building rated for 434. In January 2025, A&E Design and HDR completed a comprehensive Master Plan assessing current conditions and projecting needs through 2049.
What's Next: The Proposed Expansion
Yellowstone County is proposing the next chapter in the facility's evolution — an expansion and renovation designed to meet projected needs through 2049. Voters will decide on the bond and operations levy on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot.
See the Full Project Overview →