Montana DOC Grievance Program Requirements for Contract Facilities (PFB 6.2.430)

This Montana Department of Corrections facility operational requirement, effective October 1, 2020 and revised August 11, 2021, requires every Programs and Facilities Bureau contract facility, including prerelease centers and treatment programs, to give people under DOC jurisdiction a grievance and appeal process. Grievances involving sexual abuse or harassment must be treated as emergency grievances, as must allegations of immediate personal injury or physical harm; emergency grievances may be reported verbally or in writing to any staff member, and the Grievance Coordinator must determine within 48 hours whether it is a legitimate emergency, with a final decision within five calendar days. Grievable issues include staff misconduct, discrimination, harassment and retaliation, and policy or procedure complaints where the offender shows personal adverse effect; disciplinary decisions and Board of Pardons and Parole actions are not grievable. Offenders must state a requested remedy, and after exhausting all facility levels they may appeal to the Programs and Facilities Contract Manager within 14 calendar days, mailing the appeal to the Programs and Facilities Bureau, P.O. Box 201301, Helena, MT 59620.