Kentucky Department of Corrections officials have closed the McCreary County jail and moved all 47 inmates to the Laurel County Detention Center.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reported that the state's Dec. 11 letter ordering the shutdown said officials did not properly report escapes and cited four incidents involving six inmates between January and June 2012.

State records said the jail was "extremely dirty" and in disrepair, with problems with managing inmates.

McCreary County Judge-Executive Doug Stephens said his office had no control over the management of the jail, since the office of jailer is an elected position. McCreary jailer Tony Ball will continue to transport inmates, Stephens said.