Nebraska's prison system is facing a staffing crisis that it may not be able to overcome amid a statewide nursing shortage and the state's relatively low wages.
A spokesman for the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services says 14 of about 65 nursing positions are vacant, including seven registered nurses, two nurse practitioners, two nurse supervisors and three licensed practical nurses.
Nursing leaders say recruiting nurses to the corrections department is difficult because of competition for nurses and better pay at hospitals and clinics.
ACLU Nebraska says unless the department acts quickly to increase staffing, it could face a federal lawsuit.
