LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Lawmakers have confirmed Scott Frakes as the new director of Nebraska's embattled corrections department.
Senators on Friday voted 41-0 for Frakes, a former deputy director in Washington state's prison system. Frakes was appointed by Governor Pete Ricketts.
Frakes told a legislative committee that he'll work to restore the department's reputation and to reduce crowding.
Frakes replaces Michael Kenney, who announced his retirement earlier this month after nearly a year and a half as director. The department has faced criticism for miscalculating hundreds of prison sentences, overcrowding and the use of a re-entry furlough program that some senators say is illegal.
It also has come under fire for releasing inmate Nikko Jenkins without supervision. Jenkins went on to kill four people in Omaha.
Copyright 2015. The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.