WALLACE — After failing to pass an Idaho Sheriff’s Association jail inspection since 2022, the Shoshone County Jail remains out of compliance. However, county officials say steady progress is being made amid challenges shared by many rural jails across Idaho. 

Undersheriff Travis Skinner, who joined the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office in late December and briefly served as interim sheriff before Shawn Wehr was appointed last month, said detention staff have made noticeable improvements. 

“Here locally, our detention team has been putting in a lot of work, and it shows,” Skinner said. “The facility was noted as exceptionally clean, well-maintained and professionally operated. Staff are current on training, addressing issues as they arise and doing the job the way it’s supposed to be done.” 

Inspection challenges in Shoshone County reflect a broader statewide trend. Roughly 40% of Idaho county jails did not pass inspection last year, while many others were cited for areas needing improvement. 

“These inspections are not required by the state, but they are a professional standard we take seriously,” Skinner said. 

In Shoshone County, remaining compliance issues largely center on staffing levels and pressure from the inmate population. The sheriff’s office is down several detention deputies and has relied on measures such as offering patrol deputies overtime to staff the jail during high-volume periods. 

“We have not passed inspection yet. The remaining issues largely come down to staffing levels and population pressure. These are not quick fixes, but we are making steady progress,” Skinner said. “Staffing is improving, operations are becoming more consistent and we are on track to meet the standard.” 

Skinner said progress has also been made in medical operations. A partnership with Shoshone Medical Center has improved consistency of care for inmates while providing additional support to jail staff. 

That work is part of a broader effort to stabilize day-to-day jail operations and prevent chronic overcrowding. 

“Staffing is definitely a big part of it,” Skinner said. “But beyond staffing, the focus is really on stabilizing how the jail operates day‑to‑day and making sure we’re not putting ourselves in a position where we’re over capacity.” 

Population management, Skinner said, requires coordination beyond the jail itself. The sheriff’s office is working with the courts, prosecutor’s office and local law enforcement agencies to align booking practices and explore alternatives when appropriate. Several of those practices began in December, when former sheriff William Eddy placed the jail into a state of soft closure; a status county Commissioner Jeff Zimmerman confirmed remains in effect. 

“That’s a coordinated effort, not something the jail can fix on its own,” Skinner said. 

The sheriff’s office also continues refining internal operations, focusing on consistency in supervision, documentation and training to meet standards throughout the facility. 

These issues have left the county exposed to potential liability, which Zimmerman discussed last week as the board was deciding on the new sheriff.

 "My concern is our jail," Zimmerman said during a recent meeting. "We're working towards it, we're doing a great job working towards it. Liability is huge." 

The jail has been subject to several investigations and intense public scrutiny following the 2024 death of inmate Logan Galloway. Which, according to several reports, was the direct result of the jail's understaffing and mismanagement. 

"The last inmate death, that's going to come to a head, and we really need to make sure we get some leadership in there that will defend us from having that happen again," Zimmerman said. 

Zimmerman did not expound on what he meant by "come to a head," and according to Prosecutor Ben Allen, there are no current court filings related to Galloway's death. 

Facility improvements are also being considered as part of a long-term plan, with an emphasis on fiscal responsibility. 

“On the facility side, there are areas that need improvement,” Skinner said. “We’re starting to look at upgrade options, but with the understanding that we need to be responsible to taxpayers.” 

Options include pursuing grant funding, phasing improvements over time and partnering with outside entities when possible. 

“The goal is to make meaningful improvements without creating a major financial burden on the county,” Skinner said. 

Despite the challenges, Skinner said maintaining a local jail remains critical for Shoshone County. 

“Without it, inmates would have to be transported out of county, which increases costs, pulls deputies off the road and reduces our ability to manage our own system effectively," he said.

    An interior hallway of the Shoshone County Jail in Wallace.