Montana State Prison Hobby Store — Local services in Deer Lodge

Stopped in for gas and stayed the night, this was one of the few places open when we were getting ready to leave so I popped in.

Didn't regret it. This place is packed to the brim with creative and quality products made by inmates of the local correctional facility. Spoke with the man running the place- he doesn't do any of the pricing, the inmates do- all he does is enter in their prices and add a barcode and the inmate will receive 75% of the sale. A solid way for inmates to pass the time, build productive skills, and make some money.

They have paintings, drawings, crochet and stuffed animals and hats. Leather products like bracelets, necklaces, wallets, bags, hats, sheathes, key fobs, bridles, belts, and rattles.

I'm honestly stunned at the craftsmanship on display here. Just goes to show that even if you have a dark past you can still make...

As a former inmate I was especially interested in seeing the place where many of my handmade leather items had been sold years before. The prison hobby shop offers items you won't find anywhere else. The hitched horsehair products are exquisite and reasonably priced. Untold hours go into these items. You are not paying the inmates for their time or labor. That would be impossible. You are telling the inmates you believe in their ability to produce something positive despite their negative background. I hope you stop in when you are in the area. You will be treated with respect and find the perfect gift for yourself or that...

The craftsmanship is amazing and the prices are a bargain. We purchased beautiful jewelry, amazing leather goods, lovely hand drawn cards, artistic horse hitch keychains, and the most detailed leather pieces I've ever seen. If you can't make it in, you can call and order items. The sales associate was knowledgeable about every item, art, and the work that goes into the pieces. We will go back again and I recommend it to anyone...