LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services has found space and obtained permission to place some state inmates in county jails as a way to relieve overcrowding in the state prison system.

Layne Gissler, a Corrections Department official, says the state doesn’t plan to send inmates convicted of serious offenses, such as murder, to county jails. Gissler says six counties have agreed to take in the state inmates. The counties are Hall, Platte, Dawson, Phelps, Buffalo and Saline.

Gov. Dave Heineman and other state officials have said they want to avoid building a new state prison, which would cost about $150 million.

Nebraska lawmakers passed legislation this spring that authorized county jails to house the state inmates.