Montana DOC announces restructuring and new mission statement

The Montana Department of Corrections announced the department has a new mission statement and it has restructured the agency, according to a Thursday news release.

The changes are meant to “better reflect the goals of the agency” in the coming years, the release read. The new mission statement is “Creating a safer Montana through Accountability, Rehabilitation and Empowerment.”

With the restructuring, the department will be divided into three major groups: central services, public safety and rehabilitation programs. Additionally, the department will hire a chief financial officer who will focus solely on the department’s budget and working with the Governor’s Office of Budget and Program Planning, to ensure accountability and stewardship of taxpayer dollars. A customer service position will be created as well.

Incoming director, Brian Gootkin, said no jobs were eliminated in the restructuring.

“We have great people at the DOC who genuinely care about what they do and the Montanans they serve, and this will give them the structure and leadership necessary to carry out our critical mission,” Gootkin said in the release.