The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) annual Partnership Award is presented to an outside organization that works with NDCS to provide meaningful program opportunities, with a focus on raising awareness and promoting the reintegration of offenders back into the community.

Director Frakes presented this year’s Partnership Award to President and CEO Barry Carlson of the MidAmerica Speakers Bureau. Upon receiving the award, Carlson told the audience, “Every speaker who has presented at a prison facility has said the same seven words upon leaving, ‘I can’t wait to go back again!’”

Carlson estimated that since giving his first presentation to a group of women at the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women (NCCW) in 2016, 36 speakers associated with the MidAmerica Speakers Bureau have appeared at eight of the 10 NDCS facilities.

“The support provided by Barry and his team is deeply appreciated,” said Director Frakes. Those presentations not only entertain, but also inspire and motivate those who have an opportunity to see them.”