CLAYTON, Mo. - The St. Louis County Jail population is increasing significantly, and now authorities are trying to figure out how to deal with it.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the St. Louis County Jail population has more than doubled over the past two years. Now, authorities are looking at possible plans of action that could include some updated releases.

Jail data shows that the number of people behind bars accused of low-level felonies has increased by 141 percent since the end of 2022. Those charged with more serious felonies have gone up by 23 percent.

There were 833 inmates in the jail near the end of Oct. 2022. On Oct. 22, the jail population had jumped to 1,228. County Executive Sam Page says the increase in the jail population has negative consequences for the county budget and county residents.

Page makes the case that the high population impacts people who need to be processed and moved through the system. He says it also impacts victims who are waiting for resolutions to cases.

St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell says the judges are getting tired of seeing the same people in their courtrooms for crimes such as car thefts. As a result, Bell says judges are keeping those suspects in jail even for smaller crimes.

Courts are still working through a COVID backlog of cases. Authorities also say judges are putting people behind bars with higher bonds that have to be paid fully in cash.

To try and reduce the jail population, St. Louis County officials are looking at a revised pre-trial services program. Under that program, the jail would work with courts to decide if some people could get out of jail under supervised release while they are waiting for their trials.

Those accused of lower-level felonies, including domestic assault, burglary, and even involuntary manslaughter, could qualify for the program. Feedback is still being collected before any final decisions are made.