A broken water pipe at Montana State Prison has limited water for prisoners and forced mobilization of the state’s National Guard in an issue inmates’ families are calling a crisis, according to the Department of Corrections and family members of people who are incarcerated.

“We haven’t had any showers since Thursday or even been able to wash our hands,” said Josh McKnight, an inmate, in a phone call late Sunday afternoon with the Daily Montanan.

The state’s Department of Corrections responded to a “water pipe break” at the Deer Lodge facility on Friday, an Oct. 10 press release from the agency said .

“The break occurred in the pipe carrying water from the well house to the main water tank, which supplies water to the secure compound,” the state press release said. “Sletten Constr

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