Williston Jail Ordered To Deal With Female Inmate Population

WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) — The state Corrections Department has ordered the Williams County jail to reduce its population of female inmates.

The Williston Herald reports that a recent inspection found the facility had 18 more women than the 20 it's allowed.

County commissioners recently approved paying a lockup in Hardin, Montana, to house excess female prisoners.

Williams County is planning an expanded jail that will be able to hold 54 women, but it won't be ready until 2017. Sheriff Scott Busching says failing to address the overpopulation now would put the Williston jail at risk of having the state assume oversight, as it did in Ward County last year for similar reasons.