Fast Facts

• About 78% of the people held at the jail are there pre-trial (presumed innocent, have yet to be convicted of any crime, and most are there because they cannot afford their bail). Source

• In other words, "Over three-quarters of people in our local jail are being held pre-trial.”

• It costs approximately $120 per person per day to house someone at our local jail. 

• The third quarter (July-Sept, 2024) average jail population was 744.5, which is 111% of the department's operational capacity. Source

• The average daily population in September 2024 is 747.5 when it was 639.2 in September 2022 (see image below). Source

• Lincoln’s Mayor, Leirion Gaylor Baird recently stated (October 2024) said, "Part 1 crime, which includes violent crime, in Lincoln is at a 25-year low". Source

• The Lancaster County Jail was opened in 2013 and was expected to last more than 45 years. The Corrections Director at the time of building was quoted saying, “You build it bigger because you don’t want to build it again.” Source

The Basics

• The Lancaster County Jail is different than the State Penitentiary. Jails are typically used to house people for short-term purposes and after trial, if sentenced, many people are transferred to a state facility to serve out the rest of their time.

• Our County Jail is located on West O Street.

• The Lancaster County Jail is under the purview of the Corrections Director, Brad Johnson, who reports to the Lancaster County Commissioners, who are elected by the voters.

• Corrections are the County’s top expense. Taxpayers spent $34,938,718 on Corrections in FY24. The next highest budget expense is “General Government” at $17,569,458. General Government includes the County Clerk, County Treasurer, County Assessor/Register of Deeds, etc. Source