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NDCS News Releases

NDCS News Releases

The proclamation declaring Feb. 1 as Returning Citizen Reintegration Day.

Nebraska introduces national reentry partnership

February 1, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (24-06)

CONTACT Caralea Strayer, Communications Manager

OFFICE 402-479-5941 | caralea.strayer@nebraska.gov

Nebraska introduces national reentry partnership

February 1, 2024 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Nebraska has become the fourth state in the nation to launch Reentry 2030, a national initiative uniting leaders across the country — at the state and local levels and across justice, workforce, health, and housing sectors — to improve reentry success for people with criminal records.

“Launching Reentry 2030 in Nebraska confirms our commitment to rehabilitation and second...Read more

Two NDCS staff members injured in assaults

January 26, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (24-05)

CONTACT Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications

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

January 26, 2024 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Two staff members sustained serious* injuries in two separate inmate assaults this week.

The first incident happened on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at the Reception and Treatment Center. When a staff member entered a housing unit to escort an inmate to a holding cell, the inmate began to punch the staff member in the head. Assessment at the hospital showed that the staff member sustained a concussion.

The second...Read more

Two RTC staff members injured in assaults

January 18, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (24-04)

CONTACT Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications

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

January 18, 2024 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Two staff members at the Reception and Treatment Center (RTC) sustained serious* injuries in two separate inmate assaults.

The first incident happened last week. On Wednesday, January 10, 2024, an inmate was speaking to two staff members in the office area of a housing unit. The inmate closed the door and began punching one them in the head. Initial examination at the hospital indicated the staff member was not...Read more

TSCI inmate death

January 17, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (24-03)

CONTACT Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications

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

January 17, 2024 (Tecumseh, Neb.) – Richard Holtan #30317, age 88, died Monday, January 15, 2023, at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI).

Holtan’s sentence began on February 9, 1976. He was serving a life sentence for first degree murder out of Douglas County.

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

NDCS announces multiple leadership changes

January 16, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (24-02)

CONTACT Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications

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

January 16, 2024 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Today, Director Rob Jeffreys announced multiple leadership changes at the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS).

“We are a solutions-driven agency, continually exploring opportunities to do our work better,” said Jeffreys. “These changes will draw on the tremendous skills and experience of our agency leaders and provide opportunities for them to develop their leadership in new environments. It’s about...Read more

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

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