The group Neighbors Opposed to Prison Expansion (NOPE) is progressing with its lawsuit against the state over the selection of Lincoln County for a new men’s state penitentiary.
The lawsuit alleges a lack of transparency in the decision-making process. NOPE recently secured support from the county commissioners, who voted 3-1 in favor of the organization’s lawsuit.
The state’s requirement to use the county’s planning and zoning process for the prison, as determined by the vote, contradicts the initial understanding.
The court date for the lawsuit is set for January 22, and NOPE emphasizes the larger issue of government transparency in decision-making processes.