LINCOLN, NE – Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman has decided against ordering the early release of some inmates to relieve prison crowding.

Nebraska's prison system recently reached 140 percent capacity, which would allow the governor to declare an emergency and order some inmates released.
Heineman said he will continue to monitor the situation.

The state's prison system is designed to hold 3,175 inmates. It reached 4,448 on May 19. Mandatory sentences, enhanced penalties and habitual-offender laws have helped fuel the increase in prison population.

Heineman said the state's prison crowding emphasizes the need to push a state plan to use more community-based correctional services for many nonviolent inmates. One pilot program will send nonviolent drug offenders to five treatment programs. They're based in Lincoln, Omaha, Dakota City, Lexington and the three-county area of Otoe, Cass and Sarpy counties.

The program is aimed at higher-risk felons, people who would likely continue to commit crimes if not under proper supervision. Participants will report to a probation officer almost every day or every night, according to the felons' work schedules.

The programs have evaluation systems to help ensure the felons stay out of trouble.