10/03/2026
To the Editor:
I don't like taxes any more than anyone else, but I believe we need a safe jail for Yellowstone County.
To me, this is about more than money. It is about giving from the heart and helping people who may be at the lowest point in their lives. Most of us know someone who has ended up in jail. We also need to remember that a person is innocent until proven guilty and deserves to have their day in court. Some people who are taken to jail are eventually released without being charged.
Everyone deserves a safe place while they are waiting for their case to be resolved. For those struggling with addiction, mental-health issues, or other problems, jail can also be an opportunity to connect them with medication, counseling, and other services when appropriate. Some people may be ready to make a change in their lives if they are given the chance and the support to do so.
At the same time, we need to protect our community. People accused of serious or violent crimes need to be held securely while they await their day in court. We also need appropriate separation between dangerous offenders and people who may have made a bad decision or who need help getting their lives back on track.
We have all been affected by crime. Some of us have lost property because of bad actors, and some have been personally affected by serious offenders. People who commit crimes need to be held accountable for their actions. But we should also help those who have reached a point in their lives where they are ready to change.
The last time we built a jail, the decision came after a federal lawsuit, and our community had little choice and little input. This time, I want us to make the decision about what is best for Yellowstone County.
I believe we can have a jail that keeps our community safe, holds people accountable, and gives people who need help an opportunity to turn their lives around.
We should protect the public, treat people fairly, and give those who are ready for help a chance to change.
Please vote for both measures as one fail both will fail, and let's get started helping our community.
H. Ed Melcher
Billings, Montana