By C1 Staff
LINCOLN — A prison riot that left two inmates dead and four injured caused more damage than initially estimated.
The Omaha reports that the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution suffered between $350,000 to $500,000 in damages after inmates took over two housing units for about ten hours.
The damages were attributed to a lack of activity and programs for the inmates at the 960-bed facility.
Prison officials had given a partial estimate of the damages, which were between $30,000 and $50,000.
Inmates tore down walls, broke windows and set chairs and mattresses on fire. Cells for 128 inmates were left unusable.
The cause of the riot is still unclear, and an investigation is underway.
Repairs on all but 32 of the damaged cells are already done. Staff have been commended for stepping up to make the cells usable again.
The state has insurance to cover the damage, and lawmakers likely won’t have to seek a special appropriation.