Hassebrook Will Implement Current Good Time Law, Fix Corrections

Later today, Governor Heineman will testify at a special legislative committee hearing on his role in the Department of Corrections scandals that have come to light over the last year. Chuck Hassebrook, who has been endorsed by the Omaha Police Officers Association and Fraternal Order of Police, and has long been outspoken on this issue, has released the following statement:

“My hope today is that Governor Heineman explains why, given all of the problems within the Department of Corrections, he hasn’t fired the current Director, who failed to follow Nebraska Supreme Court rulings on inmate release dates and has publicly stated that he knowingly and intentionally chose not to follow the law.

“We can’t keep putting the safety of our communities at risk like this, and the Department of Corrections is in serious need of new leadership. As Governor, I will crack down on problems in the Department of Corrections, and appoint a Director who will follow the law.

“I would also use my authority under the law to take away every day of automatically granted good time from offenders who demonstrate from their behavior in prison that they are a threat to our communities.”H