EDINBURG - The overpopulation at the Hidalgo County Jail is causing the sheriff to look for alternatives.

Two feasibility studies are underway to determine how the county can solve the problem.

CHANNEL 5 NEWS spoke to Hidalgo County Sheriff Eddie Guerra.

“Currently today I'm housing somewhere in the neighborhood of 220-230 inmates out of county,” he says.

For now, inmates are being sent to other counties including Brooks, Jim Hogg and Starr.

A hired engineering company and the Texas Commission on Jail Standards are doing feasibility studies as a result.

“I don't want to spend $12 million if those $12 million can go into a permanent facility. That's what this feasibility study should come back and tell us,” says Sheriff Guerra.

The current jail population is about 1,430; the current capacity is about 1,230.

For more information watch the video above.