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STATESVILLE – The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office is looking to save the county money, and releasing inmates early is one option they are considering to do so.

The county has 344 inmates behind bars on Monday morning, though their facility only has 277 beds, according to officials. With not much money available for a jail expansion, alternatives are being considered in Iredell County.

With the upcoming tracking program, low-level offenders would be let out until their court date and tracked within a 10-30 foot radius with a GPS ankle bracelet. It costs the county $70 a day to house each inmate -- switching to the trackers would cost $10 per inmate and could save around $200,000 a year.

Offenders with charges for violent crimes, DWIs, assaults and things of that nature would not be considered for the program. Instead, child support payment violators might be considered. Potentially, other inmates with low bond amounts might also be included.

The program may start within 2-3 weeks.