LINCOLN — The Nebraska Sentencing Reform Task Force is calling for more in-depth research into reducing prison overcrowding and improving post-release outcomes for inmates. Established by a 2023 criminal justice law, the task force issued its annual report in November, focusing on ways to reform the state’s criminal justice system and reduce the number of short-term inmates. The task force hopes to propose new legislation by the 2026 session.
State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha, who chairs the Judiciary Committee, warned that failure to act could require Nebraska to construct two new $350 million prisons by 2030 to accommodate an increasing inmate population. A 2023 master plan for the Nebraska Department of Corrections revealed that even with a new 1,500-bed prison being built north of Lincoln, the system will still exceed its capacity by 1,300 inmates.
The report identified two key areas for reform: improving post-release supervision and finding alternatives for inmates serving short sentences, who place significant strain on overcrowded facilities like the Reception and Treatment Center in Lincoln. Recommendations include exploring options such as ankle monitors, home confinement, and serving time in county jails.
Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson expressed optimism, pointing to successful models in Texas where short-term inmates are housed in state-run county jails. He emphasized the importance of equipping inmates with job skills, saying, “We’re never going to break the cycle of crime unless we give inmates the skills to live a life of dignity.”
State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha, the task force co-chair, remains hopeful but acknowledged the uphill battle for reforms, given past legislative resistance to sentencing changes. “The data has been there, but people didn’t trust it,” McKinney said, referring to setbacks in 2023 when lawmakers rejected recommendations as being too lenient on crime.
Nebraska’s prisons are among the most overcrowded in the nation, holding 1,800 more inmates than their designed capacity. Over 90% of inmates will eventually be released, but nearly 28% will return to prison within three years. The task force highlighted mental health care as a significant challenge, noting that nearly 29% of Nebraska’s inmates suffer from serious mental illnesses, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
The task force has also joined Reentry 2030, a national initiative aimed at reducing Nebraska’s recidivism rate to 18% by 2030 through expanded rehabilitation programs, education, and job placement for inmates upon release.
While some task force members remain skeptical about achieving meaningful change, others, like Hanson, believe that taking the time to develop well-rounded proposals can lead to effective reforms. McKinney plans to introduce bills in the 2025 session to continue the discussion, with the ultimate goal of presenting comprehensive solutions in 2026.
Lincoln Sen. Carolyn Bosn, a former deputy county attorney, is expected to lead the Judiciary Committee in the upcoming legislative session, potentially signaling a shift toward a more prosecution-focused approach. Despite the challenges, the task force remains committed to finding solutions to improve outcomes for inmates and reduce the state’s reliance on costly prison expansions.
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