LINCOLN- Legislative Bill 50, a substantial criminal justice reform package introduced by Sen. Justin Wayne, was the subject of immense debate and discussion on Monday, but prevailed despite this. Advancing on a 28-8 vote, supporters and critics of the bill agreed to compromise on it prior to its next round of debate. Generally, the measure is billed as a way to provide incentives for inmates to engage in rehabilitation programming, which may allow for early parole or release, with a larger goal of reducing the need for the construction of a second new prison.
"This bill is probably one of the most fiscally responsible things we can do this year," said Wayne during the debate. Wayne went on to estimate that Nebraska was spending roughly $263 million a year to house inmates, and will be forced to build a second new prison if reform isn't implemented. However, critics say that LB50 goes too far in allowing certain inmates to leave prison earlier than otherwise would have, and argue that it must be amended before they support it. Sen. Carolyn Bosn, a former county prosecutor, said she will only support the bill if changes are made to early parole eligibility and criminal penalties related to repeat criminals.
"As a prosecutor, I'm not willing to look a victim in the face and tell them that the sentence may be 20 years but they're parole eligible in six," said Bosn, "It's a hard conversation." Sen. Terrell McKinney saw the criticisms of LB50 as a repeat of those offered up last year, when a similar criminal justice reform package was shot down last minute. Sens. Ibach, DeKay, and Holdcroft, who recently met with local prosecutors, as well as Gov. Pillen and Attorney General Mike Hilgers, also opposed the reach of LB50. "I believe if you've done the crime," said Holdcroft, "you do the time."
On Wednesday, the body continued the debate of LB50, and new disagreements arose over whether or not the bill was too "extreme." A slew of county prosecutors, including former county prosecutor and now-Sen. Carolyn Bosn, argued that the bill goes too far in permitting the possible early release of some inmates. "I don't know how many of you have asked victims (of crime) what they think of this," said Bosn during the heated debate, "What we have lost in all of this is justice for the crime victims." Proponents of the bill, including Sens. Justin Wayne and Terrell McKinney, argued that the bill is necessary if Nebraska is to avoid building a second new prison. Before being advanced, the bill was heavily amended.
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