Hassebrook Calls for Special Counsel to Investigate Sentencing Failures

Omaha, Neb. — Today Chuck Hassebrook called on Attorney General Jon Bruning to appoint an outside special counsel to examine systemic failures in the Department of Corrections.

Hassebrook cited Department failures to properly implement state sentencing laws, comply with Supreme Court rulings, and use existing statutory authority to take “good time” away from prisoners for flagrant misconduct, such as attacking prison guards. He said the outside special counsel should be charged with determining what led to the failures in the Department and oversight of it by the Office of Governor, recommending corrective action, and identifying any civil or criminal violations by state officials.

In his letter to Bruning Hassebrook wrote, “I believe an outside special counsel is warranted because of the appearance of a potential conflict of interest for your office in its capacity as legal counsel to the Department of Corrections.”

The failures of the Department of Corrections include the premature release of Nikko Jenkins for so-called “good time” even after he had attacked prison guards, as well as the defiance of Nebraska Supreme Court rulings that direct the Department to require prisoners to fully serve mandatory minimum sentences.

Chuck Hassebrook