LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s new corrections director is promising to restore his department’s reputation while finding ways to reduce overcrowding.

Scott Frakes told lawmakers Thursday he will also try to end what he described as a “fear-based culture” among employees.

Frakes, of Olympia, Washington, was appointed by Gov. Pete Ricketts to help fix high-profile problems in the department. The agency has faced criticism for miscalculating prison sentences, overcrowding and the use of a re-entry furlough program that some senators say is illegal.

Frakes told lawmakers he has imposed a moratorium on new admissions to the furlough program.

Several senators urged Frakes to continue firing administrators who were involved in hundreds of miscalculated prison sentences. Frakes says he’ll make more changes, but he needs time to get a sense of the department’s needs.