Switchboard: (402) 471-3330
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time

About the Facility

The Diagnostic and Evaluation Center (DEC) was established by the Nebraska Legislature in 1976 as part of Legislative Bill 984. Construction was completed in June of 1979 and the new institution was opened in August of 1979 as a 160-bed, maximum custody, reception, diagnostic, evaluation, assessment, classification and assignment facility. 

The single structure, two-story institution consists of nine inmate housing units and a skilled nursing facility, which includes 12 licensed skilled nursing beds and a fully-staffed initial admission clinic. Administrative offices and the skilled nursing facility are located on the upper level of the institution. All other inmate housing, as well as programming areas, including a gymnasium and custody and case management offices, are located on the lower level.

DEC has been accredited by the American Correctional Association since 1981.

General Information

As provided by state statute, all adult males sentenced to the Department of Correctional Services by the County and District courts of the state of Nebraska are received into the correctional system at DEC. In addition, the institution houses interstate transfers and returned parolees and escapees, county safe keepers and ninety-day evaluators sentenced by the court for assessment. 

Intake Procedures

• Call or fax the name(s), date(s) of birth, and approximate time of arrival at least 24 hours in advance of bringing in new commitments.
  • For male admissions, call the DEC admissions office at (402) 471-3330 or by fax at (402) 479-6368.
  • For female admissions, call the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women admissions office at (402) 362-3317 ext 218 or 215 or by fax at (402) 362-3892.
• Preferred hours for receiving new commitments are during normal business hours from 7:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Commitments may be made outside of these hours with prior approval of the receiving facility.
• Commitment and sentencing orders must accompany each new commitment.
  • Commitment Orders shall contain the date the sentence was imposed and/or is to commence; the specific offense(s); class of felony or misdemeanor for the offense(s) convicted; length of sentence(s) imposed; amount of jail time credit, if any; and if the sentence is to be consecutive or concurrent to any other charges or commitment orders. If the offense is drug related, the type of drug should also be noted.
• All known medical/mental health information should be provided at the time of admission including history, present treatment and current medication.
• At the time of admission, inmates will be permitted to retain the following items. Items not on this approved list will not be accepted or allowed in the institution. Counties should make every effort to dispose of materials not allowed prior to bringing the inmate.
  • One wedding band or ring
  • One commercial religious medallion (no homemade or hobby-made items are permitted)
  • One Bible/Qur'an or other book of sacred writings
  • Photographs (no nude photos, altered photos, or photos with foreign materials or objects attached; no gang-related photos; photos of criminal activity or photos of other inmates). Limit of 25 photographs per inmate.
  • Letters (postmarked less than one week prior to the date of admission)
  • Personal papers (legal papers, addresses, etc.)
  • Prescribed medications will be accepted and sent to our Health Services Department for evaluation and reissue if appropriate.
  • Prescription eye glasses and glasses case, if applicable.
  • Inmates who arrive wearing prosthesis and possess personal property related to the care and function for the prosthesis may retain them in their possession. Knee braces, back braces, etc., not being worn by the inmate shall be retained by DEC admissions. Medical staff will evaluate the medical necessity of such items. If determined to be unnecessary, the individual will be required to send it out.
  • Inmates who, at admission, have items they claim are necessary for the practice of their religion will have these items stored until review by the religious coordinator and assistant warden for approval or denial to retain.
  • Money brought in by an inmate will be receipted and placed in the inmate's institutional account.

Directions to Facility 

From I-80 W, take exit 397 for US-77 S toward Beatrice. Follow US-77 S/Homestead Expy as it turns into W Van Dorn St. Follow W Varn Dorn St. DEC will be on your right.