The Douglas County Jail is experiencing record high number of inmates. There is a locked OWH article covering this issue, so here are the numbers that are associated with this issue: 1390 inmates in July; max capacity is 1452, while actual capacity is more like 1300; 55 inmates were sleeping in the middle of a gym in plastic bunks sharing one toilet; over 1900 people booked at the jail in July when they average 1500, with 1800 being very busy; 55 officers short of authorized strength of 396; 7,000! hours of logged overtime by officers, just in July; 20 new officers started in July, but 13 left.
https://www.omaha.com/news/plus/underst ... a28a8.html
There is no easy solution to the overcrowding and understaffing, but some recommendations include more use of the diversion/pre-trial release programs and lower bail amounts for nonviolent crimes and increased mental health care to address the overcrowding. There is $10 million from bonds for renovations, but I don't know if that includes expansions.
I worked at the jail during law school, so even though this isn't the most exciting topic, this is relative to everyone. The jail has issues with overcrowding and understaffing. The officers, who already have a stressful job, are further stressed out because there are not enough of them, which requires additional overtime away from family and time to destress. It's a vicious cycle that the jail and other institutions are struggling with. I don't if building a new facility is a possible solution, but more preventative measures, including more accessible mental health treatment and programs to help youth who enter the system when young, are needed.