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.
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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.
Nebraska s oldest prison could house lower-risk inmates lmtonline.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from lmtonline.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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The facility s heat failed in the midst of Arctic temperatures
February 16, 2021 4:07 am
The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services said in a news release that 59 offenders were moved Sunday to the medium-security Omaha Correctional Center that houses adult men.
Officials said the juveniles were being housed in a separate area from the adult offenders and will be returned once repairs are made to the youth facility’s malfunctioning boilers.
Nearly 5 dozen Omaha youth inmates moved when heat goes out
February 15, 2021 GMT
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) Nearly five dozen youth offenders at the Nebraska Correctional Youth Facility in Omaha had to be moved to an adult prison when the youth facility’s heat failed in the midst of Arctic temperatures, state prison officials said.
The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services said in a news release that 59 offenders and the youth center’s staff were moved Sunday. to the medium security Omaha Correctional Center that houses adult men.
The juveniles were being housed in a separate area from the adult offenders, officials said, and will be returned once repairs are made to the youth facility’s malfunctioning boilers.