The Alpha Phi sorority at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln had been saving money to update the resident rooms of their house. But the budget was tight.

They found the right combination of talent, cost and style for the right price inside Nebraska's state penitentiary.

The sorority hired Cornhusker State Industries, a division of the Nebraska Department of Corrections, which employs craftsmen who are inmates of the state correctional system.

In late July, after finishing design and construction work, 15 inmates nearing work-release status began the work of unloading and installing beds, desks and drawers in the sorority house. The newly refurbished rooms were ready for the 65 sorority residents on Aug. 9.

The arrival of the Alpha Phi residents marked the end of a months-long redo of second-floor bedrooms in the 1920s-era house. Other work - handled by other businesses - involved installing a heating and cooling system, new flooring and adding ductwork.

Turning to Cornhusker State Industries to make the furniture kept the entire project on budget.