Omaha Correctional Center

Omaha Correctional Center

Facility Container

General Information
Warden
James Jansen
Public Information Officer
Rob Britten: rob.britten@nebraska.gov
Phone
402.595.3963
Address
2323 Avenue J
Omaha, NE 68110-0099
Mailing Address
P.O. Box #11099
Omaha, NE 68110-2766

Warden James Jansen

James Jansen was appointed warden at the Omaha Correctional Center, a minimum/medium custody male facility, in January 2024. 

His work is inspired by a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “'The time is always right to do what is right.”

“I expect that out of each and every one of my teammates and the population,” he said. “We cannot change the past; we can only become better because of it."

Warden Jansen began his NDCS career in 1999 as a corrections officer at the Nebraska Correctional Youth Facility (NCYF). He later transferred to the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI) where he held multiple positions, including key control corporal, sergeant, armory sergeant, training specialist, unit manager and major. Before coming to OCC, he served as warden at the Community Corrections Center - Lincoln (CCC-L) for three years. 

Warden Jansen is a graduate of Wayne State College and holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.


About the Facility

The Omaha Correctional Center (OCC) is located on a 37-acre site in East Omaha, just south of Eppley Airfield. The OCC was opened April 24, 1984 with a design capacity of 240 inmates at a total cost of approximately $17 million; today the facility has an operational capacity of 766 inmates in double, and multiple occupancy rooms. In 1994 an additional housing unit brought the design capacity of the OCC to 396 inmate beds.

OCC has been accredited by the American Correctional Association since 1986.


General Information

OCC is a medium and minimum security facility. OCC has a separate entrance building as well as an inner complex including an indoor/outdoor visiting area, a library, a religious center, dental and medical area, restrictive housing unit, academic and pre-employment training areas, central physical plant, laundry, kitchen and dining room, Cornhusker State Industries, canteen and a gymnasium. 


Directions to the Facility

OCC is located at 2323 Avenue J Street, Omaha, NE 68110. Take Interstate 480 East to Highway 75 North to the Cuming Street exit. Turn right (east) onto Cuming Street. Cuming Street turns into Abbott Drive. Remain on Abbott Drive to Locust Street. Turn right (east) onto Locust Street and proceed to 23rd Street. Turn right (south) onto 23rd Street and proceed one block to Avenue J. Turn left (east) on Avenue J to the OCC.

Visiting Hours

 

Schedule an In-Person Visit at OCC

Schedule a Virtual Visit at OCC 

VISITATION INFORMATION

NDCS utilizes a pre-registration process for visitation in all facilities. All visits must be scheduled at least seven days in advance. To select a time and date for visitation, please click the button above to complete the online form.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN – Be sure to review the following guidelines:

  • All visitors must be on the inmate’s approved visitor list
  • While health screening procedures are no longer necessary, if you are not feeling well, please consider rescheduling your visit
  • Wearing of masks is voluntary.

  • Up to four adult visitors and a reasonable number of children are allowed at each visit, per inmate

  • If additional adults are attending the same visitation session, you need only complete one registration form. However, be sure to list the full names of all other visitors and include all of the necessary contact information (phone & email) for each person.  

  • Children of any age are permitted, when accompanied by at least one adult. Children’s names should also be included on the form.

  • All visitation requests must be submitted at least seven days prior to the selected date
  • Visits may be scheduled up to four weeks from the date of the request
  • Visits are assigned on a first come, first serve basis. You will be notified by email at least three days in advance of your approved visit
  • Be sure to include alternative dates and times for your visit. If your first preference is already filled, staff will try to grant your second or third request
  • If you need to cancel a visit for any reason, notify the facility as soon as possible

*** NOTE: You will want to arrive prior to your scheduled visitation time to allow for processing into the facility.


Questions pertaining to any of the information above can be directed to the facility. Contact information is available on this page.


OCC Visiting Schedule

OCC schedule 05-28-21.jpg
 

To view a PDF version of this schedule, click here: OCC Visiting Schedule

Incarcerated persons at the Omaha Correctional Center are limited to two total visits per week. This includes in-person and virtual visits. 
Visits may be scheduled in advance, as long as they do not exceed the quota mentioned above.

 

OCC Virtual Visiting Schedule

OCC Schedule virtual 1-5-21 crop.jpg

To view a PDF version of this schedule, click here: OCC Virtual Visiting Schedule

Incarcerated persons at the Omaha Correctional Center are limited to two total visits per week. This includes in-person and virtual visits. 
Visits may be scheduled in advance, as long as they do not exceed the quota mentioned above.

 

 


Facility Visitation Procedures

The link below will take you to visiting procedures that apply to this facility. 

OCC Visiting Procedure

Virtual Visitation Program Protocol 


 

Programs

List Container

Programs & Services

Below is a brief record of every available program and service provided by this correctional facility. If it there is any additional facility-specific information pertaining to these programs and services, it will be found under the "Additional Information" tab.

**Please keep in mind that if there is no additional information provided by the facility, the "Additional Information" tab will not be displayed.
Programsort descending Description Type
7 Habits on the Inside

Developed by FranklinCovey in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Corrections, 7 Habits on the Inside uses the principles of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, tailored for the incarcerated individual. The program seeks to empower individuals to manage their own lives in such a way as to be successful in prison and in the community and using the principles of integrity, proactivity, and other key skills.  (12 weeks) 


Needs Addressed: Attitudes/Behavior; Family; Employment; Life Skills

Non-Clinical Programs
AA (Alcoholics Anonymous)

AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) is an organization which encourages members to read, and listen at meetings using the program as an opportunity to face the truth and become accountable for their addiction to alcohol.


Need Addressed:  Support for addiction and prosocial activity

Pro-Social Activities
ACTV-NE

A domestic violence program focused on developing new thinking in the development of relationships.

Non-Clinical Programs
Adult Basic Education

Builds basic skills for GED testing, college readiness and/or skill development. 


Need Addressed:  Education

Education Programs
Adult Secondary Education (ASE)

Assists students prepare for taking the high school equivalency test (GED).

Addresses Need Area:  Education

Education Programs
Alpha

Alpha promotes daily living skills and encourages character development. All classes are biblically based and open to anyone, regardless of religious affiliation. The program includes lessons on addiction prevention, understanding marriage, understanding parenthood and managing finances.


Needs Addressed:  Attitudes; behavior; life skills, family

Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Anger Management High Risk/Need

Anger Management High Risk/Need:  This treatment provides instruction and practice on basic anger control strategies in a group facilitated by clinicians.


Needs Addressed:  Attitudes; behavior; aggression, mental health 

Clinical Treatment
Assistance for Social Security Application

Social workers provide assistance in obtaining and completing Social Security applications to individuals who qualify and are 90 days from discharge, post-release supervision or parole.


Need addressed:  Re-entry for those who may qualify for Social Security benefits due to age or disability.

Reentry Services
Cabinet Maker Apprentice

Apprenticeship for learning carpentry skills. 


Need addressed:  Employment

Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Career Readiness

Helps individuals identify a specific career path; learn professional and personal skills to assist them in getting a job.

Need addressed:  Employment

Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Clinical Treatment Programs

See clinical programs list for more details.

College correspondence

Opportunity to pursue college coursework through individual and family support. 

Need addressed:  Education, employment.

Education Programs
College Courses

College courses are offered through various universities/colleges and correspondence courses. Currently, college classes are provided by grant funded providers and/or at the individual's own expense.


Needs Addressed:  Education; employment; life skills; pro-social.

Education Programs
Common Sense Parenting

Provides parents with a menu of techniques that will aid them in building positive family relationships; preventing and correcting misbehavior; using consequences to improve behavior.  Teaches self-control and how to stay calm.


Need addressed:  Family

Non-Clinical Programs
Community Alliance Charting a New Course

Education on intervention, diversion, and aftercare including stages of change.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Addresses:  substance use

Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Community Alliance Financial Literacy

Education on creting and sticking to a budget, managing credit and building savings.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Addressed Need:  Life skills

Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Community Alliance Seeking Safety

Educates about the consequences of trauma and the links between trauma and substance use.  

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Need addressed:  substance use

Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Community Coordination

Social workers coordinate with a variety of community providers and agencies for mental health services, substance abuse treatment and medical services. Providers include the Veteran's Administration, DHHS, treatment agencies, private practice and non-profit organizations.


Needs Addressed:  Housing, medical, mental health, basic needs, re-entry. 

Social Work Services
Computer based Education and Training

Certificate program utilizing tablets for improvement in academics and job training. 

Need addressed:  Education. employment

Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Continuing Care-Sex Offender Program

This program helps participants maintain and strengthen the gains they made in other treatment programs. It also helps participants navigate new challenges and helps support the transition back to a community setting.


Needs Addressed: Sex Offender conviction

Clinical Treatment
Coping with Anxiety

Provides treatment on implementing coping strategies and managing symptoms of anxiety while increasing the individual's ability to function despite those issues.


Need Addressed:  Mental Health

Clinical Treatment
Crisis Intervention

Provided on an as-needed basis, clinicians are available to assist individuals in a mental health crisis.


Needs Addressed:  Mental health.

Department of Labor Workforce Development

Helps participants develop a resume, prepare for interviews and work on job skills.


Need area addressed:  Employment

Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Destination Dads-Inside Out Dads

Incarcerated fathers get tools they need to become more involved, responsible, and committed in the lives of their children.


 

Need addressed:  Family

Non-Clinical Programs
Destination Dads-Within My Reach

Critical and concrete tools are provided which help participants improve interactions with those who matter in their lives.  Subjects are knowing yourself first, smart love and making your own decisions.


Need addressed:  Family

Non-Clinical Programs
Dialectic Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment that helps participants develop mindfulness-based coping skills to decrease suicidal and self-harming behaviors. 


Needs Addressed: Mental Health 

Clinical Treatment
Discharge Planning

Reentry specialists work with individuals to ensure a reentry plan is completed. The plan allows for a smooth transition to the community and focuses on housing, transportation, employment, education, and medical/mental health services as needed.


Need addressed:  Re-entry

Reentry Services
ESL/ELL

English as a second language (ESL) provides individuals with literacy support before Adult Basic Education


Needs addressed:  Education; life skills

Education Programs
Forklift Certification-CSI

Training in how to use and operate a forklift.


Need addressed:  Employment

Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Furniture Finisher Apprenticeship

Instruction and training in shaping, finishing, and refinishing damaged, warn or used furniture or new high grade furniture to specification.


Need Addressed:  Employment

Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Goals , Plans, and Strategies for Reentry and Life Success (GPS)

Two learning modules to develop reentry and life skills

Addresses:  life skills

Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Harambee African Cultural Organization (HACO)

This self-betterment club provides an opportunity to explore the root of the African American culture and heritage, including the past, present and future.


Need addressed:  Outside interest, pro-social activity

Pro-Social Activities
Health Course

This program, delivered by a wellness expert, provides workshops on preventative health education and nutrition, such as Men's Birth Control; Date Abuse; Bullying; Gender Boxes; and Hygiene.


Need addressed:  Health.

Vocational/Life Skills Programs
High School Diploma

NDCS operates its own school district with a high school. Students of all ages may attend high school classes. Individuals under 22 who have not graduated from high school are required to be in school. Students over 22 need to go through an application process.


 Need addressed:  Education.

Education Programs
Hustle 2.0

A trauma informed mail based correspondence program which explores entrepreneurship, healthy relationships, leadership, criminal thinking, employment, purposeful living, reentry, anger management, character development, victim awareness, persevering, and becoming the solution.  

Needs addressed:  Attitudes/behavior

Non-Clinical Programs
iHeLP- Inpatient Sex Offender Treatment Program

The Intpatient Healthy Lives Program (iHeLP) is an inpatient program available to individuals who have been assessed as a high risk for further sexual violence.


Need assessed:  High Risk Sex Offender

Clinical Treatment
Individual/Group Psychotherapy

Licensed, clinical therapists provide one-on-one or group therapy sessions as needed.


Need addressed:  mental health

Intentional Peer Support

This program allows individuals with similar life experiences to walk along side each other in supportive relationships.


Needs addressed: Attitudes/Behavior; Prosocial Activities

Pro-Social Activities
K-9 Foster Care Program

A program that partners with the Humane Society to care and provide routine training for dogs who will be adopted.

Need Addressed:  Pro-Social Activity

Pro-Social Activities
Living Needs

Social workers assist individuals with high medical/mental health needs to find clothing resources, apply for benefits or general assistance and other life needs.


Needs addressed:  Social work services.

Social Work Services
MATA Club (Mexican Awareness Through Association)

Participants in this club learn about the religious, cultural aspects, arts, customs, crafts, language, and the heritage of the Hispanic people.


Needs addressed:  Outside interest and support.

Pro-Social Activities
Materials Coordinator Apprenticeship

Instruction and training in material handling including shipping and receiving.

Need addressed:  Employment

Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Medical Services Coordination

Social workers assist individuals with high medical needs to set appointments for medication management, healthcare and provide resources to obtain medical insurance upon release:


Needs addressed:  Health, mental health, life skills, re-entry.

Social Work Services
Mental Health Association Wellness and Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)

Discusses deescalation; decision making and consequences; how trauma impacts; and how to overcome negative ways of dealing with stressful situations and crises.  Need addressed:  Life skills.

Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Mental Health Outpatient Services

Provides general, individual therapy.


Need addressed:  Mental Health.

Clinical Treatment
Metro Community College (MCC) CDL Preparation

Teaches CDL safety fundamentals, develops awareness of essential regulatory requirements and responsibilities not related directly to driving, explores practical CDL application of information to hands on training with a truck trainer simulator.  

Need addressed:  Employment

Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Metro Community College (MCC) Core Courses (Credit)

Completion of any 3 college credit courses.

Need addressed:  Education/Employment/outside interest

Education Programs
Metro Community College (MCC) Orientation/Initial Communication

Teaches and discusses career planning, program determination, scholarship information, registering for classes/training, financial aid/funding information, conducting assessments, creation of educational plans, and assists students with community resources referrals. 

Needs addressed:  Education, employment

Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Metro Community College (MCC) OSHA 10 or 30 Hour

Comprehensive training in mandated job safety requirements and guidelines.

Need addressed:  Employment

Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Metro Community College (MCC) Welding Preparation

Teaches basic welding courses for entry level welding employment.

Need addressed:  Employment

Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Metro Community College (MCC)-ACT National Career Readiness

Measures/certifies skills needed for job success.  Used by employers, educators and others  to provide evidence that job seekers have the skills employers are looking for.  

Need addressed:  Vocational Life skills

Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT)

MRT is an evidence-based, cognitive behavioral intervention which leads to enhanced moral reasoning, better decision making and more appropriate behavior. 


Needs addressed:  Attitudes, behavior.

Non-Clinical Programs
Narcotics Anonymous

Narcotics Anonymous encourages its members to attend meetings, read and listen to speakers to face the truth and be accountable for their addictions.


Need addressed:  Drug addiction support; pro-social/outside interest.

Pro-Social Activities
Native Americans Spiritual and Cultural Awareness Group (NASCA)

NASCA is designed to help Native Americans express their uniqueness of cultural and spiritual practices. Participants are given the chance to learn how to sing, pray and dance from a Native perspective.


Needs address:  Pro-social/outside interest and support.

Pro-Social Activities
oHeLP Outpatient Sex Offender Program

The Outpatient Healthy Lives Program is available to individuals who are assessed to be at a relatively moderate risk to sexually re-offend.


Need Addressed:  Sex Offender

Clinical Treatment
Prison Fellowship Academy

This 12-month program operates in a mission-specific housing unit and focuses on cognitive restructuring with faith-based content.


Needs addressed;  Attitudes, behavior

Non-Clinical Programs
Reconnect KEYS (Keep Educating Yourself For Reentry Success

The program is designed to build confidence and accountability, resiliency, problem solving skills for reentry success and personal growth. 

Need area addressed:  employment, reentry

Reentry Services
Reentry planning

Clients develop comprehensive reentry plans that include housing/transitional living, employment/education, transportation, ID credentials, medical/mental and behavioral health treatment.


Need addressed:  Reentry.

Reentry Services
Religious Classses and activities

Variety of classes, workshops and religious services designed to help inmates with support and spiritual development.


Needs addressed:  Pro-social, support.

Pro-Social Activities
Restorative Justice Intervention Program

This program increases a participant's understanding of the harm/damages they caused their victims, communities and themselves. The program also provides an important life skill module that teaches how to become emotionally proficient, which translates into better decision making and reduced conflicts.


Needs Addressed:  Attitudes; behavior, Life skills.

Non-Clinical Programs
RISE

This program targets entrepreneurial-minded individuals and offers intensive leadership development, business plan competitions, executive mentoring, financial investment, and startup incubation.


Needs addressed:  Life skills; employment, reentry

Vocational/Life Skills Programs
RISE Continuing Education Program

Continuing education for all RISE graduates.  

Need Addressed:  Employment and Reentry

Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Risk Assessment/ Psychological Evaluations

Risk Assessments and Psychological Evaluations provide diagnosis clarification, intelligence testing and Dementia screening.


Need addressed:  Mental Health; education.

Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA)

Designed to increase knowledge of sex offender registration laws, how to avoid registration violations and prepare for release with registration laws in mind. 

Need addressed:  reentry

Reentry Services
Shop Tailor Apprenticeship

Instruction and apprenticeship learning in design, creating, altering and repair of garments.

Need addressed:  Lifeskills and employment

Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Skilled Nursing Facility

On-call Skilled Nursing Facilities manage crises dealing with medical emergencies, behavioral issues and suicide watches.


Needs addressed:  Health and mental health.

Specialized Housing Services

Social workers provide assistance to individuals with high medical/mental health needs to obtain transitional living, assisted living or skilled nursing care, as needed.


Needs addressed:  Re-entry

Social Work Services
Specialized Population Served

Specialized Population Served offers services for inmates with mental illness or serious chronic medical conditions that are high risk and multi-needs.


Needs addressed:  Health; mental health

Social Work Services
Sports/Recreation Activities

A variety of activities that encourage health pastimes are offered at all facilities. Please check with recreational specialists for more information.


Needs addressed:  Pro-social/outside interest; health.

Pro-Social Activities
Thinking for a Change

Thinking for a Change is a high-level cognitive behavioral program developed by the National Institute of Corrections. The program uses role playing to concentrate on changing the criminogenic thinking of offenders.


Needs addressed:  Attitudes; behavior; family; friends; aggression.

Non-Clinical Programs
Transition Services

Transition Services are available to those transitioning to or from general population or protective management. Mental Health professionals may assists with these services.


Need Addressed:  Mental Health

University of Nebraska Omaha (credit courses)

Higher level of education in a variety of areas.  

Need area addressed: Education, employment, outside interest

Education Programs
Upholstery Apprenticeship

Trains staff in the skills of doing upholstery work.


Need addressed:  Employment

Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Veteran's Club

The Veteran's Group aims to assist all veterans and honorary members, including veterans of the United States of America and its Allies Forces in addition to their dependents and the widows and orphans of deceased veterans. The group provides opportunities for veterans to find employment upon release.


Need Addressed:  Employment

Pro-Social Activities
Yin Yoga

Learning and practicing meditation through body movements and stretches. All poses are designed to be done on bunks.

Need addressed:  Health, outside interest

Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Additional Information

Inmates at the facility are afforded educational opportunities. The facility attempts to meet the emotional and spiritual needs of the inmates through the programs and services of the religious activities.

Through programming, the facility has been able to reduce inmate idleness. Treatment programming is always at capacity due to the sizable number of drug and sex offenders at the Omaha Correctional Center. The Omaha Correctional Center hosts the Substance Abuse Unit for Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Services as well as a Non-Residential Services program.

The facility is always looking for committed citizens that have an interest in helping our inmates as volunteers. Volunteers are a vital part of our restorative programming.

  • Mental Health Counseling
  • ABE/GED
  • Substance Abuse Counseling
  • Residential and Non-Residential
  • Alcoholics Anonymous
  • Self betterment clubs
  • Volunteer activities
  • Work programs to include traditional facility work programs and Cornhusker State Industries
News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (20-28)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

OFFICE 402-479-5713 | laura.strimple@nebraska.gov

NDCS employee arrested

February 26, 2020 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Brenda Alvarado (58), a chemical dependency counselor at the Omaha Correctional Center (OCC), was arrested by the Nebraska State Patrol on February 25, 2020 for unauthorized communication with a prisoner (Neb. Rev. Stat. 83-417).

She has been employed by NDCS since July 2018 and has only worked at OCC. Alvarado resigned her position at NDCS and was booked into...Read more

Cornhusker State Industries (CSI) helps incarcerated men at the Omaha Correctional Center (OCC) learn new job skills like sewing, to assist with getting sustainable jobs once in the community. They create shirts, pants, coats and much more. This man was recently promoted to be a lead in the sewing department. He has the responsibility of examining the final products and coaches new workers to be successful in the field.Read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (20-25)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

OFFICE 402-479-5713 | laura.strimple@nebraska.gov

Facility upgrades help teach new trades

February 21, 2020 (Lincoln, Neb.) – A much-needed improvement project is providing men at the Omaha Correctional Center (OCC) with valuable, high demand skills. For the last four-and-a-half months, a small crew has been demolishing and renovating all of the showers and bathrooms in the facility.

“This project in particular provides opportunities for the incarcerated population to take...Read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (20-23)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

OFFICE 402-479-5713 | laura.strimple@nebraska.gov

NDCS to explore new prison construction options

February 18, 2020 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Today, Scott R. Frakes, director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) announced he would soon be issuing a request for information (RFI) in order to identify possible options for the construction, maintenance and creation of new prison capacity.

“In particular, this will allow for the exploration of a public-private...Read more

Omaha Correctional Center Licensed Psychologist Dr. Hoff talks with students at Creighton University today about the value of our work here at NDCS.

Nebraska corrections offers internships and great benefits as well.

Check us out at https://corrections.nebraska.gov/careers !

#MentalHealthAwareness #JoinOurTeam #KeepPeopleSafeRead more

Pictures of caseworkers in a row smiling

Want to learn more? Want to see what corrections is really about?

Head to https://corrections.nebraska.gov/careers to read about what it's really like being a caseworker at our facilities!

#KeepPeopleSafe #WorkFamily #LearnMoreRead more

Pages

 

Omaha Correctional Center Location