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Omaha Mayor wants end to furlough program for some inmates

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle is asking state officials to keep inmates convicted of violent or gang-related crimes from getting a chance at furlough programs.

The Omaha World Herald says the mayor wants the Omaha City Council to make recommendations for a bill when the Legislature convenes in January. Suttle says he's concerned because of recent high-profile incidents involving furloughed inmates.

Omaha Sen. Brad Ashford says lawmakers have already requested input from the city's police chief, the Department of Corrections and county attorneys. A corrective action plan is due to lawmakers by Dec. 6.

Ashford says the concerns will be addressed, but he wants to avoid a kneejerk reaction based on individual, high-profile cases. Ashford serves as chairman of the Legislature's Judiciary Committee, and is also running for mayor.

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