No New Prisons Nebraska

A coalition for justice

Did you know?

A new 1500 bed prison built between LNK & OMA has been proposed.

Why is this a crisis? What can we do?

Why is this a crisis?

  • Operational costs will be far greater than the $230M price tag for construction.
  • Officials have already admitted a new prison won't "fix" the overcrowding problem.
  • Money for construction will come from the state’s rainy-day fund, diverting funds the state needs to take care of our communities.

Our leaders have an obligation to find alternatives to expansion of the prison system.

Mass incarceration is not the solution.

  • Overcrowding increases and parole releases decrease. 350+ parole eligible people are elderly. NE refuses to expedite parole even with the high covid risk in prisons.
  • Incarceration is reduced when people + families have access to safe housing, jobs, food, medical care, mental health & substance abuse services, etc.

What's going on with the proposed new prison?

What can we do now?

The Appropriations Committee of the Nebraska Legislature is holding a hearing on the Department of Corrections budget Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 1:30pm. Now is the time to convey your concerns over the plan to committee members and your own senator. Tell them you want No New Prisons in Nebraska! Tell them why it matters to you, and how you'd like to see state resources used instead. Written testimony must be submitted by noon on Monday.

How do I send a comment online?

To submit a written comment for the hearing record, go to the hearings calendar for the Appropriations Committee. Scroll down to the hearing on February 21, 2023, find "Agency 46 Correctional Services, Department of", and click the button in that section that says "Submit comment online".

Stopping a new prison is far from over.

Continuing to build collective power and resistance is imperative.

Now is the time to call your state senator and let them know: No New Prisons!
  • Not now.
  • Not after a study.
  • Not ever.
Better solutions are possible.
People not prisons!

We are safe (and incarceration is reduced) when people and families have access to safe and affordable housing, jobs, food medical care, mental health & substance abuse services.