LINCOLN- A 25-page report released last week by the Inspector General for Corrections is raising concerns about the use of 'field' drug tests to punish inmates, including extending their time behind bars, without confirming such tests with an accredited lab. The lack of adequate testing and confirmation, according to the IG report, raises questions about "fairness."

In the report, the Inspector General recommended that prison staff be educated about the limitations of field drug tests and that a process for providing confirmation lab tests be established, as is currently required by law for urine drug tests. The penalties for a drug offense in prison range from loss of "good time" reductions in sentences and removal from work release, and can even require that inmates be transferred to a higher security prison.

The Nebraska Department of Corrections, in an official response, said it would take the IG's recommendations "under consideration." However, in an email, State Corrections Director Rob Jeffreys said that blocking the flow of synthetic marijuana and other drugs presents a huge challenge. "We need to be proactive, vigilant, and steadfast in our drug interdiction strategies," said Jeffreys.

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