The Legislature allocated an extra $1.5 million this spring to address the staffing problems, but Department of Corrections officials balked initially at using the money for bonuses. Instead, the department launched several other initiatives to improve training and wellness and to provide stipends for some employees who commute long distances to work. The department also did a “culture study” of its employees.

State lawmakers and the union that represents corrections workers, however, have complained that those steps were not enough and that changes could not wait.

Mike Marvin, executive director of the Nebraska Association of Public Employees, said Tuesday that while the new bonuses are a step in the right direction, they are a “token” amount and much more needs to be done.

“I think (Frakes) found out what he was doing wasn’t working, so I think he went back to what the Legislature originally intended,” Marvin said.

Turnover of security and housing unit staff was nearly 31 percent in 2015, according to Corrections Department spokeswoman Dawn-Renee Smith. That compared to about 19 percent in 2010.