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

The only jail in Mineral County is closed for business.

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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. 

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Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
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