HASTINGS, Neb. (AP) — A state senator says renovating a building at the former state psychiatric hospital in Hastings could help the state house and treat up to 240 prison inmates who have mental health, addiction issues or both.

Hastings Sen. Les Seiler on Tuesday shared some details about the proposal during a Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce legislative forum. He says the new treatment programs would help inmates transition back into society and avoid reoffending.

The state prison system is at 157 percent of capacity with about 4,500 inmates, and officials say 31 percent of the prisoners need such treatment.

Seiler says architects and engineers will visit the Hastings Regional Center on Oct. 7 to examine the property.