Reducing Crime in Nebraska Through Early Learning [VIDEO]

Otoe County Attorney explains how the social emotional skills that kids gain in early learning help cut crime

Nebraska’s prison system is in crisis.

As of August 2017, the state’s prison facilities were at 160% capacity. Nebraska’s 5,000+ inmates cost taxpayers $200 million a year. Increased violence between inmates, as well as altercations between inmates and staff, have led to a high turnover in correctional officers.

Nebraska needs reform – but the most important investments in stopping crime must be made long before arrests occur. In fact, the best investments happen in the earliest years.

That’s why David Parstch, Otoe County Attorney, is calling for more high-quality early learning programs. These programs help kids build the social-emotional skills they need to succeed in life and stay out of crime, making our citizenry more productive and our communities safer.