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Robert P. Houston, Director

Robert P. Houston, Director

Appointed: March 14, 2005

Nebraska Dept of Correctional Services
P.O. Box 94661
Lincoln, NE 68509-4661
(402) 471-2654

ProgramsFamilies & Friends Public Interest

Nebraska State Penitentiary
Diane Sabatka-Rine, Warden

 

Nebraska State PenitentiaryThe Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP) located in Lincoln, Nebraska is the oldest state correctional facility in Nebraska, opening in 1869. Until after World War I, it was the only adult correctional facility in the state.

 

General

During 1980-1981, the existing cellblocks constructed during the second half of the 19th century were replaced by four (later five) modular housing units. A new administrative complex and an EPA approved multi-fuel power plant were also completed at the same time. An existing dormitory building constructed in the 1950's was retained as a medium security facility and two new 100 bed dormitory units were opened in 1998. A thirty-six bed control unit also built in the 1950's continues in use as a high security segregation facility. The Industries Plant, Laundry, Religious Center and other support buildings were retained from the older facility as well.

The inmate population at the NSP consists primarily of inmates ranging in age from 21 and above who are serving sentences of varying length. The Nebraska State Penitentiary uses the Unit Management concept designed to improve control and staff/inmate relationships by dividing the larger institution population into smaller, more manageable groups and to improve and personalize the delivery of rehabilitative services.

The NSP has been accredited by the American Correctional Association since 1985.

 

Programs

The NSP offers a variety of education/rehabilitation programs designed to enhance an inmate's chances for successful community adjustment upon release. These include:

  • Educational/Life Skills and Vocational Programs
  • Self-Improvement (Mental Health and Control Unit Program)
  • Residential and Non-Residential Substance Abuse Treatment
  • Residential Treatment Community (RTC)
  • Religious Programming and Self-Betterment Activities
  • Support Services

The NSP is the site of major components of the Agency's Cornhusker State Industries (CSI) program.

Security Levels. Maximum, Medium and Minimum Custody.

 

Nebraska State Penitentiary Visiting Procedures

Time Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
8:00a.m. to 10:50a.m. General
Population		 General Population Segregation
Visits		 Segregation Visits and PC General
Population
11:50a.m. to 2:10p.m. General
Population		 General Population General
Population		 General
Population		 General
Population
2:40p.m. to 5:00p.m. General
Population		 General Population General
Population		 General
Population		 General
Population
(NO VISITS PROCESSED AFTER 4:00 PM DUE TO COUNT)
5:30p.m. to 7:50p.m. Segregation
Visits (PC)		 General
Population		 General
Population		 General
Population		 General
Population

Visiting Procedures

All visitors should verify the inmate's assigned visiting day before traveling to the Institution and must have prior approval from the Administration to visit.

 

Education

(Educational services are provided by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services in conjunction with the Nebraska Department of Education)

  • Adult Basic Education
  • College Courses
  • English as a Second Language
  • General Educational Development (GED)

Life Skills/Vocational:

  • Employability
  • Money Smart
  • Inside Out Dads (Parenting)

Self-improvement:

  • Non-Residential Treatment Services (NRTS)
  • Residential Treatment Community (RTC)
  • Mental Health
  • Religious Programming (Catholic, Protestant, Native-American, Islam, Asatru/Theodish, House of Yahweh, Thelema, Jehovah's Witness, MA’AT , Buddhist, Latter Day Saints, Native-American and Wiccan)
  • Self-Betterment Clubs. (Ethnic/Cultural Awareness, Service and Recreational)
  • The Segregation LEVELS Incentive  Program
  • Second Chance PUPS. For additional information on the dog obedience training program contact: NSP-Public Information Officer win.barber@nebraska.gov

Other Support Services available to inmates at the NSP include:

  • Athletics & Recreation
  • Recreation Library/Law Library

 

Cornhusker State Industries

  • Braille
  • Furniture production
  • Metal fabrication
  • License Plate production
  • Soap/Detergent manufacturing
  • Laundry

CSI products/services are available to any governmental and non-profit entities.

 

Private Venture

There are several Private Venture companies located on Prison grounds, etc. These Inmate-employees, in turn, pay State and Federal taxes and contribute to the costs of their "room and board" at the facility. Part of their income goes into a Victim's Reparation Fund, as well as towards financial support of their families or in savings.

 

Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP) Medical Services

Licensure

12-bed Long Term Care Facility

24 hour coverage

Clinic Hours: Monday- Friday. 0700-2000 hours

Staffing

  • Medical
    • 1 Physician
    • 1 Psychiatrist
    • 2 Physician Assistants
    • 9 Registered Nurses (7 Oncology Nursing Society certified, 6 Advanced Cardiac Life Support certified, 1 Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, 2 Certified Correctional Health Care Professionals)
    • 5 Licensed Practical Nurses
  • Dental
    • 1 Dentist
    • 1 Dental Assistant
  • Ophthalmology
    • Contract Optometrist
    • Eye Technician
  • Contract Specialists
    • Infectious Disease
    • Internal Medicine
    • Neurologist
    • Audiology services and Orthopedic services
    • Physical Therapy
  • Distinctions
    • 2 Hemodialysis in-house chairs
    • Chemotherapy
    • IV administration and PICC (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) monitoring
    • Hospice Care
  • Digital Radiology Services
    • Radiology Technician (Shared with DEC & OCC)

Services available at the Medical Clinic

  • Minor Procedures and outpatient wound care
  • Monthly TB testing
  • 12 lead EKGs
  • Chronic Care Clinics and Patient Teaching
    • Cardiac and Hypertension
    • Diabetes
    • Neurology
    • Pulmonary
    • Tuberculosis
    • Hepatitis C
    • HIV
    • General
    • Oncology

Laboratory Services

  • 1 Director of Laboratory Services
  • 1 Laboratory Assistant
  • Forensic Drug Testing

Behavioral Health Services

  • Substance Abuse Services (RTC)
  • Psychiatric Services
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Anger Management
  • Bibliotherapy Sex Offender Treatment
  • Outpatient Sex Offender Treatment
  • Violence Reeducation Program
  • Residential Substance Abuse Unit
  • Non-Residential Substance Abuse Treatment
  • Parole Violator Substance Abuse Treatment

 

 

Directions to the Facility

The Nebraska State Penitentiary is located in Lincoln, Nebraska at the intersection of Highway 2 and 14th Street.

 

Driving Directions

 

   

 

 

For more information contact:

Winfield L. Barber, Public Information Officer
4201 So. 14th Street
Lincoln, NE 68502

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 2500
Lincoln, NE 68542-2500

Phone: (402) 479-3227
Monday-Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm Central Time