Jerry's Riot

Who caused the 1959 riot at Montana State Prison?

1959 Montana prison riot Jerry Myles, Lee Smart and George Alton led a revolt at Montana State Prison in April 1959. For years, the disturbance was inaccurately portrayed as an escape attempt.

I’ll add that the north portion of the wall was the second stage. It expanded the prison yard, making room for construction of the 1912 cell house.

This stone wall has graced Main Street since the 1890's. Previous to the gray sandstone structure stood a fence. However, a 12' tall wooden fence proved little protection for the citizens of Deer Lodge. The fence's timbers began to rot and trouble with strong winds kept knocking portions of the fence down. Convicts could certainly escape a barrier of this nature. Because of the high costs to construct a wall, Warden Conley enlisted convict labor to build the much needed wall. The stones came from a quarry located about four miles west of Garrison and everything you see when traveling by was put together by the hands of convicts. The measurements of the wall... 20' high, 2' thick and reaching 4 1/2' underground.

Explore the grounds and history of the Old Montana Prison like you never have before! This tour begins at 7:30 pm after the museum doors close and lock for the day. Join Lem, your guide, who will give you an in-depth history as you make your way through the grounds and buildings of the Old Prison. Visit ares that are off limits during regular musuem hours.

Tickets are limited and will go fast. Secure your spot today!

Have a question? Contact us at (406) 846-3111 or book online at pcmaf.org

I remember the day I decided to write a book about the 1959 Montana prison riot. I knew it would be a long undertaking. But 10 years of research and writing? My first instinct was to write about the event itself. A year or so into the research, I realized the story was Jerry Myles, the longtime prison inmate who led the disturbance. Hence, the title "Jerry's Riot." My "prison memoir," as a true crime reviewer called the book, grew from personal interviews with most of the guards (hostages) and inmates caught up in the historic event. I tracked them down over a period of years. Some wanted to talk. Many didn't. They wanted to forget and wanted me to go away. But in the end, most relented, telling their stories for what would become an original organic story of Myles and the mayhem he caused. This month, on April 16, marks the 64th anniversary of 36 hours of sheer terror inside what is now known as Old Montana Prison. I salute all those men and women, most gone now, who contributed to "Jerry's Riot: The True Story of Montana's 1959 Prison Disturbance."

Resharing. Visit the old prison this summer.

Visiting that Old Montana Prison never gets old. Think of the guards who worked it.

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You can find several stories about Jerry's Riot, and Old Montana Prison, on my website:
https://kevinsgiles.com/

Who fixes Old Montana Prison when all those old bricks and stones fall apart?

My dad Murry at work inside Montana State Prison in the 1960s. Not sure what's going on here as he's sitting in an area heavy with inmate traffic. Could be it was later in the evening. Dad frequently worked second shift. State Prison

This event will be fascinating. I was fortunate to capture so many voices through personal interviews for my prison memoir "Jerry's Riot: The True Story of Montana's 1959 Prison Disturbance." My book remains a popular seller at the Old Montana Prison gift shop. It's the only in-depth account written about the "riot," as described then, and will remain so given that most of those eyewitnesses have died.