Nebraska State Penitentiary

Facility Container

General Information

Warden

Barb Lewien

Public Information Officer

Renee Kassmeier renee.kassmeier@nebraska.gov

Phone

402.471.3161

Address

4201 S 14th St

Lincoln, NE 68502

Mailing Address

P.O. Box #22500

Lincoln, NE 68542-2500

Warden Barb Lewien

In January 2024, Barb Lewien was appointed warden of the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP), where she oversees operations at the state’s oldest correctional facility.

“One of the things I like the most about being a warden is mentoring team members and celebrating their success as they promote or lead NDCS projects,” she said.

Warden Lewien began her corrections career in 1994 as a unit case manager for a community corrections center in Wyoming. Two years later, she joined the Hastings Correctional Center as a teacher. Since then, she has rose through the ranks of NDCS, holding positions that include unit case manager, security administrator, deputy warden and warden.

“I have learned a lot over the years from incarcerated individuals and their family members,” she said. “Good communication between team members, the population and their families improve working relationships and increases understanding between all parties.”

Warden Lewien holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the University of Wyoming.

About the Facility

The Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP) located in Lincoln, Nebraska is the oldest state correctional facility in Nebraska, opening in 1869. Until after World War I, it was the only adult correctional facility in the state.

During 1980-1981, the existing cellblocks constructed during the second half of the 19th century were replaced by four (later five) modular housing units. A new administrative complex and an EPA approved multi-fuel power plant were also completed at the same time. An existing dormitory building constructed in the 1950's was retained as a medium security facility and two new 100 bed dormitory units were opened in 1998. A 36- bed control unit built in the 1950’s was previously used as a high security segregation facility. In 2020, steps were finalized to transform that space to Minimum A custody general population housing for men who work in the facility’s shops. In addition to housing, a dayroom, gaming room and library/study were added. The Industries Plant, Laundry, Religious Center and other support buildings were retained from the older facility as well.

NSP has been accredited by the American Correctional Association since 1985.

General Information

The inmate population at NSP consists primarily of inmates ranging in age from 21 and older who are serving sentences of varying length. NSP uses the unit management concept designed to improve control and staff/inmate relationships by dividing the larger institution population into smaller, more manageable groups and to improve and personalize the delivery of rehabilitative services. In addition to maximum and medium security inmates, NSP maintains three housing units with minimum security inmates, including a residential substance abuse unit.

Mail Delivery Notification

Starting July 20, 2020 all personal mail sent to incarcerated individuals will be photocopied and then distributed. This procedure will apply to cards, letters, drawings, envelopes and pictures. Pictures will be copied in color and other items will be duplicated in black and white. Privileged mail (legal correspondence) will not be photocopied and will continue to be opened according to policy, in front of the recipient. This new procedure is part of a pilot project at NSP, designed to eliminate contraband entering the facility through the mail system.

Directions to the Facility

From Interstate 80: Take exit 397 to merge onto US-77 S/Homestead Expy toward NE-2/Beatrice/Nebraska City
Turn left onto Pioneers Blvd; Turn right onto 9th St. to Hwy 2; Turn right onto 14th St.

Visiting Hours

Schedule an In-Person Visit at NSP

Schedule a Virtual Visit at NSP

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.

Incarcerated persons at the Nebraska State Penitentiary are allowed either two weekday visits or one weekend visit per week.
Visits may be scheduled in advance, as long as they do not exceed the quota mentioned above.

Incarcerated persons at the Nebraska State Penitentiary are allowed one virtual visit per month.
Individuals will be notified via email of the virtual visit once it has been approved.
Requests will be granted in the order received.

Facility Visitation Procedures

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

Visiting Procedures

Visiting Procedures (Spanish)

Virtual Visitation Program Protocol

Programs

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.

Program	Description	Type
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
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
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
Mental Health Outpatient Services	Provides general, individual therapy. Need addressed: Mental Health.	Clinical Treatment
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
Victim Empathy	Increases participant understanding of harm caused to victims and themselves; provides important life skills on how to be emptionally proficient, result in better decisions and reduced conflict. Need address: Attitudes/Behavior, Aggression.	Clinical Treatment
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
ACTV-NE	A domestic violence program focused on developing new thinking in the development of relationships.	Non-Clinical Programs
Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP)	The Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) is a workshop that provides insight on anger and relationships; and new ways to address disagreements. Needs Addressed: Attitudes, behavior, family, friends, employment	Non-Clinical 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
Courage to Change	A series of cognitive-behavioral interactive journals in which participants in Longer Term Restrictive Housing can address their individual problem areas based on a criminogenic risk and needs assessment. Attitudes/Behavior	Non-Clinical 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
Domesti-PUPS	Participants in Domesti-PUPS train dogs to become service animals for persons with disabilities, pet therapy programs, classroom dogs and education programs. Needs addressed: Pro-social, attitude, behavior	Non-Clinical 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
Kairos	A leadership experience from a Christian perspective: Needs addressed: Life skills, support, outside interest.	Non-Clinical 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
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
Remodeling My House	Restrictive Housing journaling that offers a creative way to examine one's personal story. Uses the exercises to express yourself, identify challenges and opportunities, and consider change. Need addressed: Attitudes/behavior, family, outside interest	Non-Clinical Programs
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
Second Chance Pups	Second Chance Pups selects inmate volunteers to train dogs in basic obedience while providing human socialization and interaction with other dogs. Needs addressed: Pro-social/outside interest; attitudes; behavior.	Non-Clinical Programs
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
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
College correspondence	Opportunity to pursue college coursework through individual and family support. Need addressed: Education, employment.	Education Programs
ESL/ELL	English as a second language (ESL) provides individuals with literacy support before Adult Basic Education Needs addressed: Education; life skills	Education 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
7th Step	7th Step is a self-betterment club which discusses and works on issues of interest such as drug use, family , anger, and other things that hold attendees back from their best selves. Need Addressed: Support	Pro-Social Activities
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
Circle of Concerned Lifers	This club is organized and operated by a group of individuals serving lengthy or life sentences, with the focus on mentoring others and lowering recidivism. The club's goals and activities encourage a purposeful life and promote a healthier culture within the facility.	Pro-Social Activities
Death Dying and Trauma	Exploring attitudes toward death, finding meaning in loss and death, the impact of trauma, how to have a good death and life, how to be with others who are dying/grieving.	Pro-Social Activities
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
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
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
MICAH	Provides participants with tools needed to become men of integrity, courage, accountability and honor so they can live peaceful and productive lives. Need addressed: Attitudes/behavior	Pro-Social Activities
My Recovery Song Journal	A Restrictive Housing program exploring substance abuse recovery with music by expressing thoughts, feelings and ideas. Addressed need: drug/alcohol, outside interest	Pro-Social Activities
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
Reading Selections and Thoughtful Responses	Reading selections which explore topics of self-betterment and pro-social growth; accompanied by a series of thought provoking questions aimed at assisting in reading comprehension, retention and practical application of learned skills. Needs addressed: Attitudes/behavior	Pro-Social Activities
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
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
Toastmasters	Toastmasters empowers people to improve communication and leadership skills, find the courage to change, achieve their full potential, and realize their dreams. Needs addressed: Pro-social; outside interest; attitude; behavior.	Pro-Social Activities
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
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
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
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
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
Clinical Treatment Programs	See clinical programs list for more details.
Crisis Intervention	Provided on an as-needed basis, clinicians are available to assist individuals in a mental health crisis. Needs Addressed: Mental health.
Individual/Group Psychotherapy	Licensed, clinical therapists provide one-on-one or group therapy sessions as needed. Need addressed: mental health
Risk Assessment/ Psychological Evaluations	Risk Assessments and Psychological Evaluations provide diagnosis clarification, intelligence testing and Dementia screening. Need addressed: Mental Health; education.
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.
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
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
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
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
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
ABC Applied Construction Math	This program provides learning in the area of construction math such as division, decimals/percentages, reading measurements, calculating area, linear measures, angles, volume, solving for the unknown. Need Addressed: Employment	Vocational/Life Skills Programs
ABC Construction: OSHA Construction	This program provides an overview of safety applications on a construction site as well as training on governmental regulations. Need Addressed: Employment	Vocational/Life Skills Programs
ABC Core Curriculum	This program introduces basic construction safety; construction math, hand tools, power tools, construction drawing, rigging; communication skills; employability skills, and material handling. Need addressed: Employment	Vocational/Life Skills Programs
ABC OSHA General Industries	This course provides entry-level information about employee rights; employer responsibilities; how to file a complaint; how to identify and prevent job related hazards. Need Addressed: Employment	Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Associated Linen Management Certification	Teaches skills in the area of laundry management. Need Addressed: Employment	Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Braille Transcription Certification	Library of Congress Braille Certification in the areas of , Literary, Nemeth, Music, Foreign Language and Proofreading. Need addressed: Life skills	Vocational/Life Skills Programs
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
Chemical Operator Apprenticeship	Instruction and training to operate or tend chemical equipment to control chemical changes or reactions in the processing of institutional janitorial chemical products. Need addressed: Employment	Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Compassion in Action Pre-Release Education and Reentry Preparation	The class helps participants realize that although they made mistakes and poor choices, that they are worthwhile and matter. That by investing in themselves through service, they can find fulfillment.	Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Computer based Education and Training	Certificate program utilizing tablets for improvement in academics and job training. Need addressed: Education. employment	Vocational/Life Skills Programs
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
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
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
Laundry Machine Mechanic	Training in industrial mechanics Needs Addressed: Employment	Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Machine Operator Apprenticeship	Instruction and training to operate and tender multiple machine tools setters. Need addressed: Employment	Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Materials Coordinator Apprenticeship	Instruction and training in material handling including shipping and receiving. Need addressed: Employment	Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Mental Health Association (MHA) HOPE supported employment	Helps people find competitive jobs that are based on the person's preferences and abilities, developing resumes, completing job applications, preparing for interviews. Need addressed: employment	Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Mental Health Association (MHA) Inmate Support	Inmate support is provided inside NDCS facilities by Mental Health Association peers trained in Intentional Peer Support. Needs addressed: Support	Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Mental Health Association (MHA) REAL Peer Outreach	Provides ongoing community based support services to participants including advocating and supporting participants who want to find housing; referral and assistance obtaining other community services. Needs addressed: support and life skills	Vocational/Life Skills Programs
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
Opening Doors Core Class	The TRADE Program teaches conflict resolution; critical thinking; communication; personal finance; healthy relationships; basic computer; job preparation. Needs Addressed: Life skills; employment.	Vocational/Life Skills 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
Serve Safe	Food safety certification course which covers food borne illness, how to prevent it; purchasing and receiving guidelines; food prep, holding and serving guidelines; food safety management, systems and sanitation guidelines. Needs addressed: Employment; life skills.	Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Structural Fabricator Assembler Apprenticeship	Instruction and learning to fabricate position, align and fit parts of structural metal parts. Need addressed: employement	Vocational/Life Skills Programs
Welding Apprenticeship	Teaches welding skills. Need addressed: Employment	Vocational/Life Skills Programs

Additional Information

The NSP offers a variety of education/rehabilitation programs designed to enhance an inmate's chances for successful community adjustment upon release. These include:

Educational/Life Skills and Vocational Programs
Self-Improvement (Mental Health and Control Unit Program)
Residential and Non-Residential Substance Abuse Treatment
Residential Treatment Community (RTC)
Religious Programming and Self-Betterment Activities
Support Services

The NSP is the site of major components of the Agency's Cornhusker State Industries (CSI) program.

Security Levels: Maximum, Medium and Minimum Custody

Education

(Educational services are provided by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services in conjunction with the Nebraska Department of Education)

Adult Basic Education
College Courses
English as a Second Language
General Educational Development (GED)

Life Skills/Vocational:

Employability
Money Smart
Inside Out Dads (Parenting)

Self-improvement:

Non-Residential Treatment Services (NRTS)
Residential Treatment Community (RTC)
Mental Health
Religious Programming (Catholic, Protestant, Native-American, Islam, Asatru/Theodish, House of Yahweh, Thelema, Jehovah's Witness, MA’AT , Buddhist, Latter Day Saints, Native-American and Wiccan)
Self-Betterment Clubs. (Ethnic/Cultural Awareness, Service and Recreational)
The Segregation LEVELS Incentive Program
Second Chance PUPS. For additional information on the dog obedience training program contact: NSP-Acting Public Information Officer Kimberly.McGill@nebraska.gov

Other Support Services available to inmates at the NSP include:

Athletics & Recreation
Recreation Library/Law Library

Cornhusker State Industries

Braille
Furniture production
Metal fabrication
License Plate production
Soap/Detergent manufacturing
Laundry

CSI products/services are available to any governmental and non-profit entities.

Private Venture

There are several Private Venture companies located on Prison grounds, etc. These Inmate-employees, in turn, pay State and Federal taxes and contribute to the costs of their "room and board" at the facility. Part of their income goes into a Victim's Reparation Fund, as well as towards financial support of their families or in savings.

News

63rd Restorative Justice class graduates from NSP

November 16, 2017

The Community Justice Center completed its 63rd Restorative Justice – Victims Impact/Empathy (Life Skills) class at the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP) on Oct. 25. Eighty-nine percent of participants rated the class as excellent. “The workshop helped me realize the overall harm my crime caused the victims and families," one participant said.Read more

NSP Veterans Club celebrates service and camaraderie at annual banquet

November 8, 2017

About 60 incarcerated men gathered in honor of service, sacrifice and camaraderie during the Veterans Club Annual Banquet at the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP) on Nov. 6.

Members of the NSP Veterans Club, which meets twice a month, attended the banquet alongside NSP Warden Robert Madsen, Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) Director Scott R. Frakes, state Chief Human Resources Officer Jason Jackson, state senators, executives from the Veterans Affairs office and many others.

The NSP Veterans Club commander said all of the veterans at NSP – about 140 in total – form a tight-knit group. However,...Read more

Twenty-seven incarcerated men graduate from Defy Ventures’ “CEO of Your New Life” program

November 7, 2017

Twenty-seven incarcerated men graduated from Defy Ventures’ “CEO of Your New Life” program at the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP) on Nov. 2. The program connects the incarcerated men, known throughout the course as Entrepreneurs in Trainings (EITs) with local business leaders and community volunteers who help them develop resumes and pitch business ideas. Twenty-eight volunteers attended the graduation, some travelling from as far as Wisconsin, New Jersey and California. Thursday’s festivities included a business pitch competition, in which EITs pitched ideas such as a car detailing shop and funeral consultation service. Ahmed...Read more

Nebraska State Penitentiary Thwarts Staff Member’s Attempt to Introduce Contraband

November 7, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (17-60)

CONTACT Dawn-Renee Smith, Communications Director

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

November 6, 2017 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Team members at the Nebraska State Penitentiary thwarted an attempt by a staff member to bring in contraband on Saturday, November 4, 2017.

Michael Miller (24) was arrested on Saturday and lodged in the Lancaster County Jail with charges of Bribery and Unauthorized Communication with an Inmate . During a search of his vehicle, the search team found packages of the chemical substance known as K2. In an interview with the NDCS...Read more

NASCA celebrates at NSP

November 3, 2017

Incarcerated men at the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP) celebrated The Native American Spiritual and Cultural Awareness (NASCA) self-betterment group on Sept. 25. Festivities included a native meal, singing, drumming and storytelling.Read more

The Salvage Project performs at NSP

October 23, 2017

The Salvage Project performed two concerts in the religious center at the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP) on Sept. 25. Founded by band leader Jeromy Darling, the group says their mission is "to re-purpose forgotten people and broken lives through music and stories that transmit the saving power and grace of Jesus Christ."Read more

Staff Member Arrested at Nebraska State Penitentiary

October 6, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (17-53)

CONTACT Dawn-Renee Smith, Communications Director

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

October 6, 2017 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Today, Jami Cutshall (33) was arrested by the Nebraska State Patrol on several charges related to the introduction of contraband. She is lodged in the Lancaster County Jail with charges of unauthorized communications with a committed offender; unlawful acts by a corrections employee and sex abuse of an inmate or parolee.

The arrest is a result of the investigation into the suspected K2 (synthetic cannabinoid) incidents that occurred at...Read more

Frakes Announces Bold New Recruitment and Retention Initiatives

October 2, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (17-52)

CONTACT Dawn-Renee Smith, Communications Director

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

October 2, 2017 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Today, Director Scott R. Frakes announced the implementation of bold, unprecedented strategies to address recruiting challenges at the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services’ (NDCS) largest facilities, and the persistent retention challenges at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI).

“These initiatives represent an innovative approach to compensation that invests in our people at our facilities with the greatest needs...Read more

Nebraska State Penitentiary

Nebraska State Penitentiary