Yellowstone County and the City of Billings are now partners in crime and justice.
The two local governments locked down a $6 million deal on Tuesday to build a short-term detention center to house offenders who pose a risk to public safety, but have not been charged with crimes severe enough to land them time in the jam-packed county jail.
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Inmate laborers line up for lunch at the crowded Yellowstone County jail.
The Billings City Council approved a three-year agreement with the Yellowstone County commissioners and the sheriff to share the cost of constructing a two-story lockup to hold inmates while they wait for their initial court appearance.
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“This is an important first step in showing the city and county are united in addressing our law enforcement and criminal justice system,” said Councilwoman Jennifer Owen, who spearheaded the effort to tackle the public safety problems that continue due to a lack of jail space.