RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A group advocating for people with disabilities in North Carolina is questioning a program to prevent overcrowding in state prisons by paying county jail operators to hold offenders convicted of misdemeanors.

Disability Rights North Carolina calculated in a report released Monday that counties received $4.2 million to hold people sentenced for misdemeanors during months between 2018 and 2020 when their jails were above 100% capacity.

A 2011 state law created the program. Jails are run by local sheriffs, who can opt out of the program.

Disability Rights N.C. says changes are needed to prevent overcrowding and fix jail safety problems more quickly.