State, Powell County investigating suspected homicide at Montana State Prison

Montana Department of Corrections and Powell County officials are investigating a suspected inmate homicide at the Montana State Prison, a Montana Department of Corrections news release said Monday.

Todd C. Fisher, 49, was pronounced dead on Sunday. He had been incarcerated since 2019 after being convicted in Dawson County for deliberate homicide and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.

Investigators believe this is an isolated incident, according to the release.

DOC Communications Director Carolynn Bright said that no employees were involved, but as this case is under investigation, the department is not able to provide any additional information.

The DOC declined to answer whether it was investigating multiple homicide suspects.

There was a reported 35% vacancy rate with 90 open positions out of 257 as of August of last year. Visitation was suspended last fall due to low staffing at the prison.

At the time, Montana State Prison Employees Local 4700 Union President Cathy Clark told the Daily Montanan conditions at the prison were a “pressure cooker.”