Bibb County Sheriff outlines jail expansion timeline, leadership shift in 2026

Sheriff David Davis says the jail expansion is expected to become visible by spring 2026.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Big changes are coming to the Bibb County Jail in 2026, including new leadership and the start of a long-planned jail expansion.

Bibb County Sheriff David Davis says the jail’s commander retired at the end of December, and a new commander is expected to be announced soon.

Davis says preparations are already underway for the jail expansion, which is aimed at addressing long-standing capacity and operational issues at the facility.

“By the spring of 2026 there will be some real obvious notices and some obvious work being done that you’ll know the jail expansion is taking place,” Davis said.

The changes come as Bibb County leaders continue to work on justice reform initiatives announced earlier this year. During the summer, Mayor Lester Miller announced a full audit of the jail population to identify nonviolent offenders who could be released to help reduce overcrowding.

According to Davis, that audit has already resulted in the release of 64 people. Even with those releases, the jail population remains high, with Davis saying the inmate count is currently just over 1,000. Davis says the jail’s official capacity is 966.

Davis also says overall crime in Bibb County declined in 2025. A full year-end crime report is expected to be released in the coming weeks.