BUTTE, MT - Guitars will soon be off-limits for Montana State Prison inmates.
Warden Mike Mahoney says the instruments are a liability, because they can be used as a weapon or a place to hide contraband. He's banning them from inmate cells under a new policy that is expected to help the prison gain accreditation from the American Correctional Association.

The accreditation could protect the facility from future lawsuits. Inmates will still have access to guitars through the prison's music department. Still, Mahoney says many aren't happy about the changes.

He expects the policy to be phased in over the next six months.