Yanceyville, NC --NC has a new plan to help with overcrowded prisons and it may save taxpayers money.
The state is trying it out in the Piedmont, and Caswell County is one of the counties going through a pilot program, which starts next month.
It's called the Statewide Misdemeanant Confinement Program. It involves where inmates serve their sentences.
Right now the law says for misdemeanors of 90 days or less, inmates generally serve the time in county jails. There are exceptions when the jail is overcrowded or the inmate presents security or medical risks.
In the new program under the Justice Reinvestment Act, those serving three to six month sentences will stay at county jails instead of going to Dept. of Correction.
The state reimburses the county for holding the extra inmates and providing care, supervision and transportation. The measure saves taxpayers about $40 per inmate per day.
That's why Caswell County is building a bigger jail that can hold more inmates. Right now the jail holds 42 inmates. The new jail that will open in 2013 will hold 108 inmates.
Sheriff Michael Welch said the sheriff's department jumped at the chance to take part in the pilot program.
"We actually have the ability to create some possibilities within our rural county and also alleviate some of the burdens on the taxpayers in the county," said Sheriff Welch.
The sheriff told us the full program will take effect in January for all participating counties.
WFMY News 2