The state’s corrections secretary has outlined a proposed $27 million expansion of a maximum-security prison outside El Dorado as an option for dealing with crowded prisons in Kansas.

Corrections Secretary Ray Roberts told a joint legislative committee Monday that by mid-2018, the state expects to have 9,400 male inmates in its custody. That would be about 600, or 7 percent, more than its capacity.

He told the committee that the number of female inmates will also exceed the state’s bed space by then.

The secretary outlined a proposal to add 512 beds to the El Dorado prison.

Roberts also said Kansas could increase the amount of time inmates receive off their sentences for completing programs. He says the state could also house more inmates in county jails and private prisons.