NEBRASKA — Nebraska’s correctional system is grappling with severe overcrowding and critical deficiencies in mental health care, according to a decade of reports from the state’s Inspector General of Corrections. Operating at 140% capacity, the state’s prisons are struggling to provide adequate conditions and care for inmates, with facilities like the Omaha Correctional Center housing double their intended population.
Inspector General Doug Koebernick highlighted the dire situation, stating, “When you have an overcrowded system, there’s going to be different parts of the system that are more overcrowded than others.” He noted that facilities designed for 400 people are now accommodating 800, leading to inadequate space and resources.
Mental health care is a significant concern, with psychiatrist and psychologist positions remaining unfilled for months. The 2025 Annual Report from the Inspector General underscores the critical staffing shortages, leaving vulnerable inmates without necessary treatment…