LINCOLN- The problems facing Nebraska’s prisons are well-documented: A near-catastrophic staffing shortage and severe overcrowding that for years has been among the worst in the U.S.

Amid apparent progress hiring staff, Nebraska legislators are poised to address the long-standing overcrowding and underlying issues that contribute to that trend during the 60-day legislative session that starts Jan. 5. Armed with fresh analyses of state data, lawmakers will also weigh a pitch to build a new state prison.

“We have a thoughtful (Judiciary) Committee,” said State Sen. Steve Lathrop of Omaha, committee chair. “We have a diversity of perspectives on the committee, and we have an opportunity with the work that’s been done through the interim to follow through with asking the question, and coming with an answer to: How do we best spend taxpayer dollars on criminal justice?”

As of last week, corrections had received more than 630 applications for corporal positions since salary increases were announced in November, according to the department. It had received just 162 such applications in the five weeks prior.

As applicants come in, the prisons are still severely unstaffed for the time being. Another option being explored is a new prison in itself.

This has received opposition and support, some citing they are not ready to allocate the tax dollars.

One of those people is Sen. Terrell McKinney. He said, "The one thing I hope, overall, though, is, regardless of if they build it or not — I just hope that we can get some real legislation passed that’s really going to be transformative for the criminal justice system and the prison system before anyone signs off on that prison,”

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