Governor Ricketts Announces New Study on Corrections Reform netnebraska.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from netnebraska.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Nebraska seeks review of why prison population keeps growing apnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from apnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
By GRANT SCHULTEFebruary 17, 2021 GMT
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) The director of Nebraska’s prison system unveiled plans Tuesday to convert the state’s oldest prison into a minimum-security facility for $4 million in new costs, but he said the plan would only work if lawmakers agree to build a separate, $230 million prison for higher-risk inmates.
Nebraska Department of Correctional Services Director Scott Frakes outlined the project to overhaul the Nebraska State Penitentiary as part of a larger effort to ease overcrowding in the state prisons. Lawmakers are considering the new prison proposal, but some have voiced concerns about the costs.
ADVERTISEMENT
The penitentiary in Lincoln is the state’s oldest prison, dating back to 1869, and houses a combination of maximum-, medium- and minimum-security inmates. State officials have said it’s nearing the end of its useful life, and will need significant upgrades regardless of whether lawmakers approve a new prison.
by Fred Knapp, Reporter/Producer, NET News
The Nebraska Legislature meets Tuesday (Photo by Fred Knapp, NET News)
Listen to this story:
Sorry, but the video you are requesting is unavailable at this time, or unplayable on your platform!
Fred Knapp, Reporter/Producer, NET News a href https://twitter.com/fredmknapp/ img src /sites/default/files/t+.png? /a
February 16, 2021 - 6:07pm
Major questions involving a proposed new prison and property taxes are being highlighted in a preliminary budget recommendation to the Nebraska Legislature.
In his budget proposal last month, Gov. Pete Ricketts included $115 million over the next two years to start on a new 1,500 bed, $230 million prison. In its preliminary budget released Tuesday, the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee reserves that money, but it doesn’t specifically approve using it for the new prison. Committee Chairman Sen. John Stinner said he wants to hear more before committing to a new facility.