The minimum-security prison in McCook, Nebraska, known as the Work Ethic Camp, has undergone a significant transformation, shifting from a rehabilitation-focused facility to a high-security Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center. This change aligns with President Trump’s national efforts to intensify immigration enforcement. The facility, now dubbed the “Cornhusker Clink,” will accommodate up to 300 detainees.
For over two decades, the Work Ethic Camp served as Nebraska’s sole state prison devoted solely to rehabilitation. It housed nonviolent felony offenders nearing the end of their sentences, providing them with counseling, education, and job training. In its community-oriented approach, inmates could often be seen engaging in various local projects, such as road paving, maintaining cemeteries, and even mowing the high school football field. This summer, an art gallery showcased the work of 13 prisoners, highlighting the facility’s commitment to reintegration.
However, state officials announced the transition to an ICE facility this fall, prompting a mixed response from the local community of approximately 7,500 residents. While many residents supported President Trump’s stance on illegal immigration, they expressed concern over the loss of a prison that had fostered rehabilitation and community ties. Some voiced frustration over Governor Pete Ricketts’ unilateral decision to repurpose the facility, arguing that it overlooked the prison’s previous role in aiding Nebraskans in their reintegration into society.
Supporters of the new ICE center, on the other hand, view the facility as an opportunity for economic growth, anticipating the creation of 50 to 60 jobs. This sentiment resonates in a town that largely backed Trump in the 2020 elections. Yet, apprehensions linger regarding the potential impact on local resources, particularly as the small airport in McCook, which employs only one full-time worker, may experience increased traffic due to the transportation of detainees.
As McCook navigates this significant shift, the community remains divided between supporting the federal immigration agenda and preserving the rehabilitative mission that the Work Ethic Camp once embodied. The rebranding of this facility raises questions about the future of local engagement and the broader implications for immigration policy in the region.
