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With No One to Staff It, a Jail Closes in Montana

The only jail in Mineral County is closed for business.

The only jail in Mineral County is closed for business.

The last prisoner will be shipped out Wednesday as county leaders wrestle with a sudden dearth of jailers to watch over the jailed.

Detention officer pay that starts at just over $10 an hour and management issues under Sheriff Tom Bauer have been cited as reasons for a recent spate of resignations. It’s left the county with just two officers to oversee the jail 24 hours a day. That's four short of a full staff. 

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
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