The Crow Tribe of Montana tried to help the city of Hardin make use of a $27 million jail that sits empty nearly a year after it was completed.

Chairman Carl Venne said the tribe approached the city about acquiring or using the jail to house Indian inmates. The Bureau of Indian Affairs backed the idea in an April 3 letter written by assistant secretary Carl Artman.

But Venne said the city quickly rejected because the city wanted to retain control of the costly facility. The city, however, claims the tribe was trying to have the 40-acre site placed in trust -- somehow without the city's knowledge.

The unused jail has become into a political, legal and financial controversy for the city, which sits near the border of the Crow Reservation.

Get the Story:
Crow tribe attempted to acquire Hardin jail (AP 5/13)
Hardin Jail Campaign (KULR 5/12)