LINCOLN- The Ricketts administration has proposed a costly idea to build a new state prison-- something that hasn't been done in over two decades. Lawmakers are sure to have many questions about whether this costly of an investment will be heavily considered.

Scott Frakes, the state corrections director, will have a hearing about prison overcrowding and deserves a fair hearing to promote this prison. Nebraska has the second-highest overcrowding problem in the nation. The overcrowding problem has already cost the state $170 million in expansions over the past six years.

The facility would add 1,512 beds to the state's prison system and would hold all different levels of security. This would bet he first prison built in the state since 1998, when the Tecumseh prison was built.

Many questions are sure to be brought, but a huge hurdle legislators will have to discuss is that $230 million price tag. Budgeting has already been a top issue in the state, so adding this project will be quite a feat.

Reform efforts have been seen at both federal and state levels but many have failed. This includes a bill in front of the Legislature last year that would allow prison inmates to become eligible for parole two years before their release date, give inmates incentives to complete rehabilitation programs and to get more inmates under parole supervision. Many of those ideas are supported by law enforcement officers. This effort failed.

Nebraska leaders will need to make this very tough decision in 2021.

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