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LINCOLN — A Nebraska group that advocates for the disabled has joined the call for reforms in the use of solitary confinement in state prisons and for better mental health care behind bars.

Disability Rights Nebraska, which works to protect the rights of the mentally ill and others with disabilities, released a report Wednesday calling on the state to “step up to the plate” to improve discharge planning and care for the mentally ill.

The group, citing several studies on the subject, said that since almost all inmates return to society, it is essential to provide adequate “re-entry” and transition programs to better prepare mentally ill prisoners for their eventual release.

“Releasing an inmate without adequate discharge planning is like saying, ‘Good luck — we will see you again,’ ” said Brad Meurrens, a public policy specialist for Disability Rights Nebraska and co-author of the report.