LINCOLN- According to new projections from the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, the Legislature would have to allocate around $350 million to build a new Nebraska State Penitentiary. "This project can no longer be delayed," said interim director of NDCS Diane Sabatka-Rine. Last year, the Legislature earmarked $255 million for a new prison, but has only appropriated $14.9 million. NDCS is asking for an additional $95 million to complete it.

The Department of Correctional Services blamed the substantial increase on inflation, as well as the recent water main break failure that forced 140 inmates to be relocated. "This is an example of the aging infrastructure at the penitentiary, and such incidents are likely to occur if a replacement is delayed even further," said Sabatka-Rine, "The cost to build a facility will also continue to increase the longer the project is delayed due to rising construction costs."

Within five years, Sabatka-Rine said she plans to move inmates from the 154-year-old State Penitentiary to the new prison and decommission the old facility. "The facility will need to continue to house inmates for at least the next five years while a new facility is built," finished Sabatka-Rine. A new prison location has yet to be located, but several site studies have been completed around Omaha and Lincoln according to NDCS.

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