Correctional Services Opens Doors to New 100 Bed Dormitory

LINCOLN - Corrections Director Scott Frakes was excited to present a new opportunity for inmates to ease themselves back into the workforce on Thursday. "One of the biggest differences is this building stands all by itself. There is no control point. You can walk in and out of the building. We have a little bit of security, the right amount of security, and the people that we house here have already demonstrated that they do what they're expected, show up to work, good citizens already and that they're already ready for that level of freedom." Frakes and Governor Pete Ricketts held a press conference at the new $1,550,000 100 bed dormitory. It also allowed them to show the construction site for an expansion project on the female facility. That new building features 160 beds and $26 million of authorized project budget. Governor Pete Ricketts believes the new dorm is important for the correctional system. "93% of the people that are coming into our facilities will be leaving one day and our job is to prepare them for leaving the correctional system." According to Frakes, as of Thursday, the prison system was at 157% capacity. The new dorm has 49 of its 100 beds being used currently. The project was completed ahead of schedule, and $250,000 below budget.