Montana State Prison Warden Jim Salmonsen has been placed on leave, according to the Montana Department of Corrections.

Montana DOC officials say transferring the prisoners is a necessary step to manage prison populations as well as make necessary upgrades and additions to the main state-run facility in Deer Lodge.

The Montana Department of Corrections said Monday that the warden responsible for the state prison in Deer Lodge is on leave, but declined to provide further information about the situation.