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Senators: Nebraska prison escape highlights broader problems

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers say the recent escape of two convicted sex offenders highlights larger problems within the state prison system that have not yet been addressed.

Several senators said Thursday that the Department of Correctional Services is under stress because of staffing shortages, overcrowding and a lack of pay increases based on seniority. The department has struggled with employee turnover because of excessive overtime, the stressful environment and better-paying jobs at county jails.

Corrections Director Scott Frakes says prison employees have been reassigned following the escape, but Nebraska State Ombudsman Marshall Lux says that isn't enough to solve the problem.

The department also announced Thursday that it has invited prison administrators from Virginia to conduct an independent investigation of the escape to determine what went wrong.

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