Ryan Gustin

The pandemic has made keeping in touch with loved ones difficult for everyone. COVID-19 precautions have halted in person visitation at Montana’s prisons, straining communication between inmates and their families.

The Montana Department of Corrections confirmed Friday two inmates in state custody died due to COVID-19 last month. The announcement came nearly two weeks after the first inmate’s death.

As the COVID-19 pandemic swept into Montana, it spread into the Marias Heritage Center assisted living facility, then flowed into the nearby 21 bed…