GREAT FALLS, MT - Fifteen state inmates have been moved out of the Cascade County regional jail, in a disagreement over how much the state should pay to hold them there.

Cascade County wants the state to pay about 67-dollars a day, to cover the cost of inmates awaiting sentencing, before being transferred to the state prison or another correctional program.

The state had been paying 47-dollars a day, and wouldn't agree to the higher fee.
Cascade County commissioners then ended the contract with the state.

Inmates were moved to the state prisons and other correctional facilities, beginning July 12th.

Cascade County Chief Captain Dan O'Fallon says most of the transitional beds are already filled with inmates whose costs are paid. The federal government pays 65-dollars a day to house prisoners at the regional jail.