Nebraska residents who have been convicted of crimes or who may have loved ones in the state prison system know that overcrowding in the state's facility has been a serious problem. In fact, when the residence rate reached 160 percent of capacity, Nebraska had the second-highest inmate capacity rate of any state in the nation.
Fortunately, some people realized the need for change and a new state law has mandated that the inmate capacity rate be brought to at least 140 percent by the year 2020. A new facility in Lincoln is being touted as part of the effort to get to this goal. In this facility, 100 people who are close to the end of their sentences can live in a dorm-style setup. They will be allowed to get jobs and leave the facility to go to work but will maintain their residence at the correctional facility.
Another benefit to the new facility is that it may help inmates get a jump on finding and holding a job and even earning enough money to take care of themselves once they are out of custody. This may be a good step for many people who end up facing criminal charges.
When a person is arrested for a crime in Nebraska, talking with an attorney may be a good way of learning what type of penalties they may face and what the prison and jail situation is really like.
Source: Omaha World-Herald, "Officials hopeful new dorm at Lincoln prison will help relieve overcrowding, reduce repeat crimes," Paul Hammel, September 29, 2017