Criminal Justice
Our criminal justice policies have created a system of mass incarceration which hurts our communities and has disproportionate impacts on low income families and communities of color. Too many of our neighbors who commit non violent offenses are ensnared in a prison system that is severely overcrowded. Existing conditions violate the 8th Amendments protection against cruel and unusual punishment and do not provide for meaningful transition back into our communities and our economy. The ACLU is leading the way to rethink and reform these policies and conditions though our campaign for Smart Justice to protect individual rights, reduce the taxpayer burden, and make our communities safer.
Existing "tough on crime" policies, particularly around punitive drug policies, have failed to achieve public safety while putting an unprecedented number of people behind bars and eroding constitutional rights. This system also erodes economic opportunity, family stability, and civic engagement during incarceration and sometimes creating life long challenges upon release.
America, land of the free, has earned the disturbing distinction of being the world's leading jailer. The ACLU believes that together we can cut that number in half by 2020. Nebraska has a role to play in reducing America's addiction to incarceration and providing programs that help those convicted of a crime to turn their lives around.
What You Need To Know
- 159%Nebraska’s prisons have been severely overcrowded for nearly a decade, having reached 159% of capacity system wide. At the start of 2015, some institutions are over 350% of capacity.
- 50%The amount of those incarcerated in Nebraska currently for non violent offenses.
- 4.65In Nebraska, a black person is 4.65 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than a white person is, despite approximately equal rates of use.
Re-Entry in Nebraska
September 3, 2017Law Enforcement Accountability
August 8, 2016End Solitary Confinement for Young Nebraskans
January 4, 2016
Tinkering With The Machinery of Death
January 1, 2015Ending Mass Incarceration in Nebraska
January 1, 2014
Sabata v. Nebraska Department of Corrections et al
August 16, 2017
Gillpatrick and Wetherell v Nebraska Correctional Services
February 25, 2014
Cap fees for Jail Phone Calls
January 3, 2018Juvenile Solitary Confinement Reform
January 8, 2016
Medical Marijuana
January 21, 2015
The Latest

The Prison Lawsuit: David vs. Goliath
January 8, 2019ACLU Files Court Challenge to State of Nebraska’s Execution Protocol
March 26, 2018Nebraska Is Illegally Obtaining and Storing Execution Drugs in...
March 12, 2018
End Mass Incarceration
ACLU Statement on Dept. of Corrections Issuing of a Death Notice
January 19, 2018ACLU Applauds Introduction of Bill Limiting Solitary Confinement...
January 5, 2018
I spent my 16th Birthday Alone in a Cell
January 5, 2018ACLU of Nebraska Applauds Introduction of Bill Addressing High...
January 3, 2018