Interfaith coalition urges Lancaster County to prioritize diversion over detention

An interfaith coalition in Lancaster County is urging the county attorney to focus on diversion strategies rather than detention for inmates.

Justice in Action, a coalition of 26 faith communities in Lancaster County, is advocating for nonviolent offenders awaiting trial to have the opportunity to return to their families, especially during the holiday season.

The group wants to remind Nebraskans ahead of the holiday season that some people won’t be spending it with their families. They’ll be in jail, awaiting trial.

Tobi White, pastor at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church and co-president of Justice in Action, said the county’s focus should be on diversion, not detention for non-violent offenders.

“We've been trying for the past couple of years to engage County Attorney Pat Condon in working toward broadening his usage of the diversion programs to help alleviate some of the population pressure in our jail and also give folks who are waiting for their trial an opportunity to reestablish themselves and get the assistance they need in our community," she said.

Justice in Action advocates said they want programs that prioritize treatment and rehabilitation. As of Thursday, the Lancaster County Jail was holding almost 700 people.

Fellow co-president Kirstie Engel, a pastor at First United Methodist Church, added there are racial, ethnic and socio-economic disparities in the county’s current detention method.

"May our collective action inspire others to join us in this journey toward justice," she said. "Let us pray for the courage to confront injustice and the strength to persevere in our pursuit of a more equitable society.”

Studies show from 2014-2019, African Americans made up about 5% of Nebraskans, but 19% of arrests. American Indians or Alaskan Native people made up 1% of Nebraskans, yet 3% of arrests.

"Those being detained are overwhelmingly those who cannot afford to pay bond. This is not justice. It is a punishment for poverty," White said.

She added when the jail was constructed 11 years ago, there was the understanding that it would take 40 years to max out on space.