Help End Prison Gerrymandering Prison gerrymandering funnels political power away from urban communities to legislators who have prisons in their (often white, rural) districts. More than two decades ago, the Prison Policy Initiative put numbers on the problem and sparked the movement to end prison gerrymandering.

Can you help us continue the fight? Thank you.

—Peter Wagner, Executive DirectorDonate

Montana has enacted legislation to end prison gerrymandering. It is among the growing list of states that count incarcerated people at home for redistricting purposes.

Montana

Sections
Legislation
Organizations in Montana
Press coverage
Testimony
More information
2000-era Districts

The U.S. Census Bureau counts incarcerated people where they are confined not where they are from. Using these counts to draw state and local legislative districts enhances the weight of a vote cast by people who live near prisons at the expense of everyone else in the state or county.

Legislation

SB 77, sponsored by Senator Shane Morigeau, was signed into law on April 25,2023.

Leaders in Montana

It’s impossible to include everyone who is working toward fair districting in Montana, but if you are looking to get involved, these are some of the people and organizations you might want to contact first:

Press coverage

Select Testimony

More information

  • Legislation: including model legislation, current bills, and archive of past legislative efforts
  • Pathfinder: a guide to resources on prison gerrymandering
  • Effects of prison-based gerrymandering in Montana at the state and local levels of government: 50 State Guide - Montana.

Materials about 2000 Census and redistricting cycle

A collection of historical reports, fact sheets, and media coverage of the prison gerrymandering after the 2000 Census.



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