Bartholomew County would need to increase its jail staff by 11 people, or about 20 percent to meet state standards.

That’s according to a Six Sigma study done with the help of Cummins and a review of jail staffing by a consultant. The analysis concluded that the jail does not have enough staff to cover vacations, sick time and other personnel requirements, as well as the regular needs of the jail inmates, says Dana Vogt, with Cummins.

Without enough staff, the county is instead burning up its overtime budget to cover standard personnel staffing needs, Vogt said.

The jail inmate population of about 215 is reaching its maximum level, Jail Commander Maj. John Martoccia told the County Council at its work session last night. Although there are empty beds, some inmates require cells to themselves for safety reasons. If the jail population grows much more, the county would have to reopen the old portion of the jail, which would require even more staff, Martoccia said.

Sheriff Matt Myers said he will propose the county increase the jail staffing by seven people in 2018. The jail currently has 55 staff members. The study suggests immediately adding two medical personnel, four rovers and security and one transport and security staff members.

The rest of the staffing shortfall would continue to be made up with overtime pay, the sheriff says. Although the jail budget overtime budget will be exhausted by next month.