Two central Indiana jails are being pushed to the limits as they fight overcrowding. The Marion County and Hamilton County Jails don’t have much room left for inmates.

The Hamilton County Sheriff is pleading with county officials to allocate almost $12 million into expanding the facility. Sheriff Mark Bowen said the jail is equipped to handle 296 inmates, but houses 345 on an average day.

Bowen said when the jail was built, there were 165,000 people in Hamilton County.  He said today’s county population is over 300,000.  Bowen said it won’t cost taxpayers any extra — the county already has the funds. The council is expected to vote on the proposal next week.