Chants, songs, and prayers echoed outside the Lincoln-Lancaster County Hall of Justice this morning, led by an interfaith coalition representing 26 faith communities. Their goal: to convince County Attorney Pat Condon to allow adult pre-trial diversion for more than 500 incarcerated individuals ahead of the holiday season.
A chorus of the protest song “We Shall Not Be Moved” began the rally, followed by chants of the groups name, “Justice in Action.”
Rev. Kirstie Engel, lead pastor at First United Methodist Church, delivered the invocation, urging the faith communities present to advocate for “transformative change” in the criminal justice system.
“We are here to amplify the voices of the marginalized in our community, to advocate for the voiceless in our neighborhoods, and to ensure that justice is not a distant dream, but a tangible reality,” said Rev. Engel. “That happens today, it happens now.”
Rev. Tobi White, lead pastor at Our Saviour’s Lutheran, began her speech by asking, “Who will you be with this Thanksgiving?”
“For many of us, Thanksgiving is a time for connection, comfort and gratitude. But this Thanksgiving… over 500 people will needlessly spend the holiday behind bars in our county jail,” said Rev. White. “Many of them will be there, not because they’ve been convicted of a crime, but simply because they are still awaiting trial for non violent offenses.”
White quickly turned her attention to Lancaster County Attorney Pat Condon, saying him and his staff have the power to change the system.
Attendees at the Justice in Action rally outside of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Hall of Justice. Nov. 21, 2024. (Chase Porter, KLIN News)
“A system that only 11 years ago promised a new jail would last more than 40 years before maxing out. A system that costs taxpayers $120 per day per person, totaling more than $60,000 of taxpayer dollars per day for these individuals who do not necessarily need to be in jail. A system that impacts unemployment, because those inside awaiting trial lose their jobs while they wait. A system that ships those same people out to other counties to make room, giving those displaced little-to-no contact with their families, and where their lawyers have more difficult access to their clients,” said White.
An “Amen!” erupts from the crowd of roughly 100 attendees. White responds, “That’s right.”
A statistic dashboard on the county website says the the total population in Lancaster County Community Corrections is 952. The Adult Detention Facility (ADF) at 3801 West O Street has a current maximum capacity of 786 inmates. The ADF was built in response to an overcrowded inmate population in the previous facilities.
According to research conducted by Justice in Action, nearly 70% of people held in the jail are pre-trial cases, with the largest proportion as pre-trial felony cases. In the fourth quarter of 2023, 751 people were referred to Community Corrections but only 604 people were ultimately admitted to diversion programming.
Engel and White, who co-lead Justice in Action, said 2024 is their third attempt to catch Condon’s ear. Clergy and steering committee members met with County Attorney Condon in March of 2024 to make specific asks to increase eligibility for diversion. They say his answer was “no” on all items.
“Today we call on Mr. Condon to take responsibility. We demand action to build a system that supports people instead of warehousing them. We demand diversion programs that prioritize treatment, rehabilitation and justice, not detention,” White said. “It is time to make our cry public.”
“Divert, don’t detain!” the crowd chanted.
Church goer Stephanie Clark offered a bible verse which resonates with their call.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)
The rally concluded with the unfurling of a long, scroll-like list of signatures from Justice in Action members, calling on Condon to take action.
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- Chase Porter, KLIN News
Names of incarcerated individuals in Lancaster County, those of which Justice in Action believe should qualify for adult pre-trial diversion. (Chase Porter, KLIN News)