Audit criticizes $22 million in overtime costs at Nebraska prisons

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Nebraska state auditor released a report Monday criticizing the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services’ high overtime costs.

In 2023, the department paid employees $22 million in overtime and compensatory time, according to Auditor Mike Foley.

An audit by his office found that some correctional officers work the equivalent of two full-time jobs, working 80 hours a week throughout the year.

One guard racked up enough overtime to make over $205,000 last year, according to the audit. That’s more than some doctors and dentists in the prison system.

Foley said such overtime is “exceedingly costly” and puts the safety of both staff and inmates at risk.

The overtime stems from the corrections department’s long struggle with staffing shortages.

In a response to the audit, the department said it’s making progress on cutting overtime costs.

“While overtime expenditures have decreased from the previous year, overtime is necessary if the required number of team members are not available to continue to protect the incarcerated population, team members and the public,” NDCS said.

The audit raises several other concerns, including high medical costs.

Foley said the department could have saved $3.5 million in 2023 by encouraging inmates to enroll in Medicaid right away.

The department said it addressed that problem this year by making Medicaid enrollment part of the admission process.

The audit also accused the department of not paying inmates the money they earn in a timely manner.

Foley said more than $307,000 still needs to be credited to inmates’ accounts.

The audit found that nine of the 10 inmates with the highest uncredited balances have been released on parole without receiving the money owed them.

At the same time, the auditor says the department hasn’t deducted enough money from inmates’ wages to pay their room and board.

Foley said that cost taxpayers at least $310,000.

The corrections department said it is switching to a new electronic system for inmate accounting.

NDCS said that system will be more efficient and decrease the likelihood of errors.

Foley said if all the recommendations in the audit are followed, the department could sabe about $3.9 million every year.