State Penitentiary Water System Running Again After 3-Day Shutdown

      There’s running water once again at the State Penitentiary in Lincoln. Nebraska’s largest and oldest state prison lost running water from Tuesday to Thursday after officials discovered numerous leaks in the facility’s brittle old pipes

       Inmates and staffers had to use bottled water and portable toilets, raising concerns about conditions at the facility and its long-term future.  

        Prison officials say the problem demonstrates the need for the new $230 million dollar facility proposed by Gov. Pete Ricketts, opposed by some state lawmakers who argue that a new prison isn’t necessary.