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CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The 100 plus year old Barnes County jail fell short in several policy and procedures following a recent jail inspection by the state. The rating of the facility dropped to from a one to a two which forced the jail to close a section of the facility last month.

Sheriff Randy McClaflin said the state will conduct another inspection at the end of the month. Rumors are circulating about the state shutting down the jail.

Following the December inspection, the state reduced the maximum amount of inmates 30 to 20. On December 18th the state issued an order of reclassification and an order of partial and a temporary closure and an order suspending the order of temporary closure.

Sheriff McClaflin said commissioners and the public will have to decide whether or not to repair or renovate the existing facility or build a new one down the road.

Ten years ago, support to build a multi-county correctional facility crumbled after existing funding sources back then could not cover the cost of building a new structure. The Barnes County jail has 12 employees.

The following is the full interview with Barnes County Sheriff Randy McClaflin.