Nebraska's three largest prisons exceed bed capacity

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 00:02 · Archive

Nebraska's three largest correctional facilities exceed their stated bed capacity, according to a new report.

A new report shows Nebraska's three largest correctional facilities exceed their bed capacity, according to corrections data. All but one facility — the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution — is far beyond its designed operational capacity. Bed capacity is set by the agency director and reflects how many inmates a prison can reasonably hold.

Zach Pluhacek, Nebraska's inspector general for the corrections system, told reporters that in some intake units, inmates are sleeping on floor cots in open bays. He said this raises safety concerns because inmates have not been separated into higher and lower security levels yet, making violence harder to control if it breaks out.

The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services responded that safety is multi-faceted and that the bed capacity figures do not account for specialized housing, such as mental-health units. The state is building a new $350 million prison in Lincoln, with crews breaking ground in 2024 and the facility expected to open in 2028. Both the Department of Corrections and the inspector general expect the new prison to ease some strain. The inspector general is also asking the state to fund a new tool to better estimate future prison population.

How it is being reported

• Nebraska’s three largest prisons exceed bed capacity, new report showsA new report shows Nebraska’s three largest correctional facilities are beyond what the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services says they can handle.WOWT · 22 Oct, 23:48
• Nebraska’s three largest prisons exceed bed capacity, new report showsA new report shows Nebraska’s three largest correctional facilities are beyond what the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services says they can handle.1011Now · 22 Oct, 23:48

In this story: Nebraska · Tecumseh State Correctional Institution · Nebraska Department of Correctional Services · Zach Pluhacek · Lincoln

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