LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers spent years building the state’s tough-on-crime reputation, but an overhaul approved this year reflects a new strategy.

Senators increased behavioral health services and passed sentencing reforms to keep more low-level, nonviolent offenders out of prison.

They’ve spent the last two years overhauling the justice system with expanded mental health and substance abuse programs, juvenile services, and greater post-release supervision.

Nebraska is the latest state to shift its focus to treatment and rehabilitation instead of building more prisons. The reforms follow a review by the Council of State Governments Justice Center, a national group that has worked with 21 states on prison crowding and related problems.

Marc Pelka, the group’s program director, says the changes reflect a “watershed moment” of support for new criminal justice policies.