An additional $5.6 million will be needed to hire an additional 94 employees and open two new cell units at the Chatham County Detention Center next fiscal year.
Sheriff Al St Lawrence said the additional staff and holding cells are needed to relieve overcrowding at the jail and meet federal guidelines.
Currently, the cells are over capacity, which creates a dangerous environment for inmates and deputies, St Lawrence said.
St Lawrence presented the expansion plan during the county commission's budget workshop Tuesday morning.
For more on this story, check Wednesday's edition of the Savannah Morning News or online at Savannahnow.com.