CANTON — The state is telling St. Lawrence County to hire six extra guards to staff the jail being built near Commerce Lane.

The Commission of Correction recommended a minimum of 49 officers, six sergeants, a warden and an assistant. The county has 45 officers, five sergeants and a warden. The recommendation, the commission's first, is based on a January visit to the site of the $32.4 million lockup under construction.

"Their numbers are coming out at the same or a little less than we thought," Sheriff Kevin M. Wells said.

Staffing is ultimately a county decision, but the commission must approve the entire project before allowing the jail to open.

The increased cost is unknown because the county has not figured benefits or classified the assistant warden position that does not now exist. An officer's base salary is $36,143. Sergeants start at $43,453.

Assistant wardens are required for facilities as big as the county is building, Mr. Wells said. The assistant is one of two positions the state is recommending that the county does not use. It also is recommending a program officer, which is a specialized guard who will coordinate educational, religious, vocational and counseling services.

The lockup has room for 164 inmates, or up to 186 with double bunking. Realistically, the jail will hold as many as 131 or 149 with double bunking because of separation requirements based on sex and age.

Construction is expected to be finished in September. The county will spend months training staff before transferring inmates to the facility.

Legislators will go over the recommendation June 9 and listen to concerns from the jail committee. The commission will return six months after the jail opens to review and adjust staffing.