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NDCS News Releases

NDCS News Releases

Director Frakes Outlines Contraband Control and Detection Tactics

July 28, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (17-41)

CONTACT Dawn-Renee Smith, Communications Director

OFFICE 402-479-5713 | dawnrenee.smith@nebraska.gov

July 28, 2017 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Today, the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) outlined tactics they are utilizing to operate safe and drug-free institutions for staff, inmates and visitors.

“As I talk to my peers across the country, I am reminded that Nebraska is not alone in the fight to stop the flow of contraband,” said Director Scott R. Frakes. “More than 80 percent of Nebraska prisoners have some level of substance abuse issues. Nebraska has been...Read more

Staff Members Assaulted at TSCI

July 25, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (17-40)

CONTACT Dawn-Renee Smith, Communications Director

OFFICE 402-479-5713 | dawnrenee.smith@nebraska.gov

July 25, 2017 (Tecumseh, Neb.) –Two staff members were assaulted by an inmate at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI) at approximately 7:30 p.m. on July 24, 2017.

Two staff members had restrained the inmate to escort him from his restrictive housing cell to another location. As the door opened, the inmate lunged forward and used his head to hit one staff member in the head. The other staff member was holding the restraints and working to control the...Read more

Staff Members Assaulted at TSCI

July 23, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (17-39)

CONTACT Dawn-Renee Smith, Communications Director

OFFICE 402-479-5713 | dawnrenee.smith@nebraska.gov

July 23, 2017 (Tecumseh, Neb.) –Earlier this morning, two staff members were assaulted at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI). One staff member received serious, non-life-threatening injuries requiring medical treatment.

The inmates in one housing unit gallery initially refused to return to their cells, but have since done so without the need for force. The facility is secure and all staff are safe and accounted for.

The facility is in modified...Read more

NDCS Mourns Loss and Honors Contributions of Warden Fred Britten

July 20, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (17-38)

CONTACT Dawn-Renee Smith, Communications Director

OFFICE 402-479-5713 | dawnrenee.smith@nebraska.gov

July 20, 2017 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Today, with heavy hearts, the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) mourns the death of Warden Fred Britten (62) who passed away yesterday following a brief battle with cancer.

Britten began his career with NDCS on December 5, 1977, as a corrections counselor at the old reformatory. He served the State of Nebraska for nearly 40 years holding numerous positions, including unit administrator, associate warden and deputy...Read more

Community Corrections Escapee Captured by Law Enforcement

July 15, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (17-37)

CONTACT Dawn-Renee Smith, Communications Director

OFFICE 402-479-5713 | dawnrenee.smith@nebraska.gov

July 15, 2017 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Shortly before midnight on July 14, 2017, Frederick Patterson, inmate number 57581, escaped from the Community Corrections Center - Lincoln (CCC-L) by breaking a window to get outside and then climbing the fence to leave the property. Lincoln Police Department, Lancaster Sheriff's Office, and the Nebraska State Patrol responded to emergency calls and captured Patterson in a field next to the facility.

A short time earlier, Patterson had...Read more

NDCS Partners with State Auditor for Process Improvement

July 6, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (17-36)

CONTACT Dawn-Renee Smith, Communications Director

OFFICE 402-479-5713 | dawnrenee.smith@nebraska.gov

​July 6, 2017 (Lincoln, Neb.) – The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) and Nebraska’s Auditor of Public Accounts partnered to improve processes within NDCS’ accounting division. NDCS had been trying to identify resources with the required expertise to address a backlog in that division. Charlie Janssen, Auditor of Public Accounts, offered to commit his staff’s time to provide assistance with this.

As the auditor’s office provided the needed assistance...Read more

Process Improvement Team Helps Employees Define the Work They Do

June 30, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (17-35)

CONTACT Cara Wilwerding, Communications Manager

OFFICE 402-479-5712 | cara.wilwerding@nebraska.gov

June 30, 2017 (Lincoln, Neb). – The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services’ (NDCS) process improvement team is creating a cultural change department-wide by getting frontline staff involved in problem solving.

Process improvement coordinators Heather Behl and Chris Gadeken said the work they do is really about giving NDCS employees ownership and value.

“They’re the ones doing the frontline work, so they know where the pitfalls and compromises are,” Behl...Read more

Alpha Celebrates First Graduations within NDCS

June 28, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (17-34)

CONTACT Cara Wilwerding, Communications Manager

OFFICE 402-479-5712 | cara.wilwerding@nebraska.gov

June 28, 2017 (Lincoln, Neb.) – In the past week, a total of 27 students graduated from Alpha programs in classes at both the Omaha Correctional Center (OCC) and the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI).

Alpha is a series of sessions designed to explore the Christian faith. Run worldwide, it is not specifically a prison program. Alpha network director Jodi Meyer said while the program is centered around Christianity, it does not exclude those of other faiths....Read more

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