STATEMENT: Unicameral misses opportunity to help Nebraskans meet basic needs, address prison overcrowding

***For Immediate Release***
March 27, 2019

Contact:

James Goddard
Economic Justice Program Director, Nebraska Appleseed
Office: (402) 438-8853, Ext. 108
Email: jgoddard@neappleseed.org

Nebraska legislature misses critical opportunity to help Nebraskans meet basic needs, address overcrowding in Nebraska prisons

LINCOLN – Today, the Nebraska legislature struck down LB 169, a bill that would have ended a ban on providing critical food support to people reintegrating into society after completing their sentence for a drug-related offense.

James Goddard, Economic Justice Program Director for Nebraska Appleseed, issued the following statement in response:

“We are disappointed senators chose not to pass LB 169 to eliminate a major barrier for members of our community as they work to establish a firm footing in society and provide for their families. The current ban is counterproductive and creates an unjust lifelong punishment on top of the time a person has already served.

“Today’s decision means fellow Nebraskans will continue to needlessly struggle to meet their basic needs, including access to nutritious food. It also ignores an opportunity to address our state’s prison overcrowding crisis by providing food support that not only would fight hunger, but also help reduce rates of recidivism.

“We thank Senator Megan Hunt and the 27 other supportive senators for championing Nebraskans right to access food. We will continue to fight for people working to get back on their feet and provide for their families.”