“Off paper” after your felony sentence? Learn how and when you can register to vote!

As we find the end of summer drawing near, this means the interim session is upon us and the next legislative session is quickly approaching; just like the change in the seasons. With the change of the legislative sessions, we'll start to look for the implementation of the laws passed at the end of the 108th Legislative 1st session.

Everyone is eager to learn more about the changes LB50 will have for our Builders and people we all know and care about.

The Nebraska Unicameral ended two days early yesterday, but not before LB50 passed its final round of debate with a vote of 34-15!

The Fatherhood Initiative is a statewide program of Lutheran Family Services (LFS), in partnership with Legal Aid of Nebraska, RISE, and in collaboration with Sarpy County.

LB50 was debated on select file for four hours on Wednesday and survived a cloture vote, where at least 33 senators had to decide if the bill received a full and fair debate. It was then advanced to the final round of debate with a vote of 30-7.

The Judiciary Committee’s omnibus bill, LB50, advanced to select file last night with a vote of 28-8. Even through some contentious moments, senators continued to work towards agreements on the latest amendment that they hope to have finalized in the next round of debate.

With only 8 days left in the 108th Legislature, 1st session, criminal justice reform is now on the agenda for debate today. Contact your senators now and ask them to vote for the data-driven policies in LB50 with AM1436 to reduce the state’s prison growth, while promoting public safety and reducing recidivism.

In 2022 we held two RISE Business Academy (RBA) cohorts and one graduation with seven graduates. 11 of our 19 program graduates currently have their businesses in operation.

Dr. TJ Dickson became the Director of the RBA in July 2022. She facilitated Cohort 5 and graduated the largest cohort thus far.

The Voting Rights Restoration Coalition is composed of over 30 statewide and local organizations. Our mission is to remove barriers to civic participation for those impacted by the criminal justice system. We want everyone to be able to access their right to vote, serve on a jury, and run for office.

Important things to know on Election Day.

Knowing your voting rights while currently detained in jail can be confusing. But know this: if you or your loved one is currently detained in a Nebraska jail, you may still be eligible to vote!

Learn more about voting rights and voters registration here.

On Tuesday, March 29th, 2022 we hosted the 3rd Annual Nebraska Day of Empathy! This day was nothing short of spectacular! After two years of hosting exclusively virtual events, we were able to gather a small group and offer virtual for more people to join.

Nebraska needs criminal justice reform now. Our prison system is in an overcrowding crisis and we have the opportunity to do something about it. We need your help to make LB920 a reality!

Over the last decade, the population of Nebraska prisons increased 21%, differing from the national trend of a decreasing imprisonment rate. Further, there has been a 38% increase in the amount of time people spend in prison, and a decrease in parole grants.

ACTION ALERT: Tell the Legislature Nebraskans reentering society should not be denied food benefits for life.

Jasmine L. Harris, RISE’s Director of Policy and Advocacy, graduated from Dream Corps JUSTICE’s first-ever Empathy Network Leadership Cohort. The 6-month training program was modeled after strategies Dream Corps JUSTICE used while working to pass the First Step Act in 2018; the bipartisan legislative effort across the country to improve criminal justice outcomes and reduce the federal prison population.