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NDCS News Releases

NDCS News Releases

RTC inmate death

January 12, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (24-01)

CONTACT Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications

OFFICE 402-479-5799 | dayne.urbanovsky@nebraska.gov January 12, 2024 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Ryan Poe #64494, age 39, died today at the Reception and Treatment Center (RTC).

Poe’s sentence began on July 12, 2006. He was serving a life sentence for first degree murder out of Douglas County.

While the cause of death has not yet been determined, Poe was being treated for a medical condition. As is the case whenever an inmate dies in the custody of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS), a grand...Read more

NSP staff member injured in assault

December 30, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (23-76)

CONTACT Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications

OFFICE 402-479-5799 | dayne.urbanovsky@nebraska.gov

December 30, 2023 (Lincoln, Neb.) – An inmate at the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP) assaulted a staff member on Saturday, December 30, 2023, resulting in a serious* injury.

The assault occurred when an inmate was exiting the shower and punched a staff member in the side of the head with a closed fist, knocking the staff member to the ground. Responding staff members removed the inmate from the area. The staff member was treated at the hospital for a...Read more

RTC inmate deaths

December 15, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (23-75)

CONTACT Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications

OFFICE 402-479-5799 | dayne.urbanovsky@nebraska.gov

December 15, 2023 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Thomas Nesbitt #36998, age 77, died December 13, 2023, at the Reception and Treatment Center (RTC). Michael Pendell #80445, age 69, died December 14, 2023, at RTC.

Nesbitt’s sentence began on April 17, 1986. He was serving a life sentence for first degree murder out of Douglas County.

Pendell’s sentence began on June 25, 2014. He was serving 25 to 50 years for first degree sexual assault of a child out of Gage...Read more

Missing inmate arrested

December 13, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (23-74)

CONTACT Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications

OFFICE 402-479-5799 | dayne.urbanovsky@nebraska.gov

December 13, 2023 (Lincoln, Neb.) – An inmate who went missing from the Community Corrections Center – Lincoln (CCC-L) is back in custody. Ian Eastman #215514 was arrested by the Lincoln Police Department today and is being held at the Lancaster County Jail.

Eastman disappeared on September 6, 2023, when he left his place of employment and did not return to the facility. He started his sentence on September 14, 2022. He was sentenced to zero to 42 months...Read more

RTC inmate death

December 8, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (23-73)

CONTACT Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications

OFFICE 402-479-5799 | dayne.urbanovsky@nebraska.gov

December 8, 2023 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Edward Poindexter #27767, age 79, died December 7, 2023, at the Reception and Treatment Center (RTC).

Poindexter’s sentence began on April 17, 1971. He was serving a life sentence for first degree murder out of Douglas County.

While the cause of death has not yet been determined, Poindexter was being treated for a medical condition. As is the case whenever an inmate dies in the custody of the Nebraska Department...Read more

NSP inmate death

December 5, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (23-72)

CONTACT Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications

OFFICE 402-479-5799 | dayne.urbanovsky@nebraska.gov

December 5, 2023 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Leonard Svitak #29449, age 85, died December 4, 2023, at a Lincoln hospital. He was incarcerated at the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP).

Svitak’s sentence began on September 20, 1974. He was serving a 10 year to life sentence for second degree murder out of Lancaster County.

While the cause of death has not yet been determined, Svitak was being treated for a medical condition. As is the case whenever an inmate...Read more

NDCS launches new programming initiative

November 20, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (23-71)

CONTACT Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications

OFFICE 402-479-5799 | dayne.urbanovsky@nebraska.gov

November 20, 2023 (Lincoln, Neb.) – The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) has launched a new phase of evidence-based programming aimed at providing strengths-based reentry support services to incarcerated individuals, using both staff and peer-led delivery. Reentry programs are designed to help individuals in their transition from incarceration back to the community.

“Successful reentry preparation is about providing the right tools and...Read more

NDCS names new medical director

October 30, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (23-70)

CONTACT Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications

OFFICE 402-479-5799 | dayne.urbanovsky@nebraska.gov

October 30, 2023 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Today, Director Rob Jeffreys announced the appointment of Jerry Lee Lovelace Jr., M.D., Ph.D., as medical director for the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS). Dr. Lovelace will oversee the Health Services division, which includes medical, dental, psychiatry and behavioral health. His appointment goes into effect October 30, 2023.

“Dr. Lovelace is an innovative leader who has a proven record of working...Read more

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