A six-month study of the state prison system praises Nebraska for state-of-the-art risk-reducing programs…but criticizes the system for not getting the right programs to the right inmates.

The Justice Center with The Council of State Governments has studied the substance abuse, anger management, and job training programs offered at Nebraska prisons.

Project Manager Bree Derrick says there isn’t enough qualified staff for programs stretched too thin.

 

The Justice Center has delivered suggestions for the Department of Correctional Services to consider in an effort to keep inmates released from prison from coming back.

State Corrections Director Scott Frakes says he will use the results of the study in his overall evaluations of the needs of his department.

The study says the state needs more qualified staff to provide the programs to more inmates in more prions across the state.