Faith Groups Rally for Expanded Diversion Programs in Lancaster County

Interfaith coalition calls for more alternatives to jail as county faces overcrowding crisis

Apr. 1, 2026 at 11:20pm

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An interfaith coalition in Lancaster County, Nebraska, held a rally outside the City/County building to call for expanded access to diversion programs as a solution to the county's jail overcrowding crisis. The group, Justice in Action, laid out 672 marshmallow treats to represent the number of people currently incarcerated beyond the jail's capacity, and urged county officials to invest in diversion programs over continued reliance on incarceration.

Why it matters

Lancaster County's jail has been operating over capacity for years, leading to high taxpayer costs and concerns about the human toll of overcrowding. The rally organizers argue that diversion programs offer a more effective and humane solution to address non-violent offenses and reduce recidivism, but say the county attorney has been resistant to expanding access to these alternatives.

The details

The Justice in Action coalition, made up of 27 different faith communities, has been appealing to Lancaster County Attorney Pat Condon for years to expand diversion programs. This year's rally fell on April Fool's Day, which the organizers said was an ironic coincidence given the serious nature of the issue. Citing recent studies, the group said the jail is consistently over capacity, with more than two-thirds of inmates awaiting trial for non-violent offenses. They argued that investing in diversion programs, which cost around $15 per day compared to $150 per day for jail, would be a more effective and cost-efficient solution.

  • The rally took place on a rainy Wednesday in Lincoln, Nebraska.
  • The Justice in Action coalition makes similar appeals to the county attorney semiannually.
  • The group's 2024 and 2025 calls for expanded diversion programs went unappeased.
  • This year's rally fell on April Fool's Day, which the organizers said was an ironic coincidence.
  • The group's Nehemiah Action Summit, featuring candidate forums, is scheduled for April 30, 2026.

The players

Justice in Action

An alliance of 27 different faith communities in Lancaster County, Nebraska, that advocates for criminal justice reform and expanded access to diversion programs.

Pat Condon

The Lancaster County Attorney, who has been resistant to expanding diversion programs despite calls from the Justice in Action coalition.

Randall Ritnour

The Democratic challenger running against Pat Condon for Lancaster County Attorney in the upcoming election.

Mandy Muhlenkamp Searle

A former prisoner who spoke at the rally about the need for community-based support and alternatives to incarceration.

Carla

A speaker at the rally who shared an original poem titled 'The Door is Already Here' about the availability of diversion programs as a solution to jail overcrowding.

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What they’re saying

“'Continuing to rely on jail when better solutions exist is costing our community unnecessarily. Diversion programs work and it's time we fully invest in them.'”

— Rev. Tobi White, Co-President of Justice in Action

“'When I was released I didn't just need a paycheck, I needed a community that believed my past was not my permanent identity. We often isolate people to correct them, but you cannot learn to be a neighbor in a cage. You learn to be a neighbor by being welcomed at a table.'”

— Mandy Muhlenkamp Searle, Former prisoner

“'$150 a day to keep a person in a cage versus $15 a day to walk them toward healing. The math ain't mathin'. The solution already exists. It is reachable. It is viable. It is simply not being offered enough.'”

— Carla, Rally speaker

What’s next

Both Lancaster County Attorney Pat Condon and his Democratic challenger Randall Ritnour have committed to attending the Justice in Action group's 2026 Nehemiah Action Summit, where they will participate in a series of listening sessions with subject matter experts.

The takeaway

This rally highlights the growing frustration in Lancaster County over the continued reliance on incarceration rather than investing in community-based diversion programs that could more effectively address non-violent offenses, reduce recidivism, and alleviate the strain on the county's overcrowded jail system. With the upcoming election, voters will have a chance to weigh in on the future direction of the county's criminal justice policies.