MISSOULA — The former warden at the Montana State Prison said he resigned because of problems with offered treatment programs and conflicts with Director Reginald Michael.
Lynn Guyer disclosed why he resigned in an interview with the Missoulian that came about one month after he left the agency.
“I am leaving with my dignity,” Guyer told the Missoulian in a phone interview Friday, after the newspaper obtained his exit questionnaire. Guyer confirmed he sent it to the governor’s office and staff.
Guyer said there was a lack of evidence-based practices for sex offenders and drug and alcohol addicts and that was hurting their ability to get appropriate treatment and succeed.
Montana Department of Corrections spokesperson Carolynn Bright said Friday that the department “is committed to evidence-based programming as an integral part of its justice reinvestment efforts.”
Guyer further argued that Clinical Services Division Administrator Connie Winner stalled progress in implementing evidence-based programming for sex offenders and others. Bright did not directly respond to a question about claims Winner had slowed the pace of implementing such programming thus far.
He also said one of the main reasons he left was because of his relationship with Michael. Guyer said he was often belittled by Michael in front of his subordinates.
Through an email with department spokesperson Bright, the director did not answer a question about claims he degraded field staff. Bright cited personnel policy.
Guyer began working at the Deer Lodge facility in October 2018, following his retirement from a 30-year career with the Idaho Department of Corrections. He has since moved back to Idaho.
Montana State Prison is the largest correctional facility in the state, housing about 1,600 male inmates and employing about 640 uniformed and non-uniformed workers.