NDCS News Releases

NDCS News Releases

For Immediate Release:

5:45PM CT on April 10, 2020

Media Contacts:

Taylor Gage, 402-471-1970

Justin Pinkerman, 402-471-1967

Gov. Ricketts, NDCS Director Frakes Affirm Commitment to Public Safety & Good Health within Corrections System

LINCOLN – This afternoon, at his daily press briefing, Governor Pete Ricketts reminded Nebraskans that today marks Day 1 of the “21 Days to Keep Nebraska Healthy” campaign. He commended Nebraskans for complying with social distancing directives. The Governor also shared social mobility data from Google that confirms...Read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (20-50)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

OFFICE 402-479-5713 | laura.strimple@nebraska.gov

Inmate dies at hospital

April 8, 2020 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Cary Rehbein #35084, age 76, died at the hospital shortly after 10:00 a.m. on April 8, 2020. He was incarcerated at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI). Rehbein’s sentence started on June 13, 1983. He was serving a life sentence out of Douglas County for first degree murder.

Rehbein was being treated for a medical condition. The manner of death is believed to...Read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (20-49)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

OFFICE 402-479-5713 | laura.strimple@nebraska.gov

NDCS staff member tests positive for COVID-19

April 4, 2020 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Today, Director Scott R. Frakes announced that a staff member in the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). The staff member is employed at the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP) and has been isolated at home for the past 10 days.

This is the first confirmed case of COVID-19 to be...Read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (20-48)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

OFFICE 402-479-5713 | laura.strimple@nebraska.gov

All NDCS staff to wear masks on the job

April 2, 2020 (Lincoln, Neb.) Today, Scott R. Frakes, director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) announced that staff members will be required to wear face masks while at work. The mandate will apply to staff members who work in the agency’s 10 prison facilities, Cornhusker State Industries (CSI) and in all office buildings and warehouses.

“We continue to take steps as...Read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (20-47)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

OFFICE 402-479-5713 | laura.strimple@nebraska.gov

Inmate dies at hospital

April 1, 2020 (Lincoln, Neb.) -- Jackson Hedrick # 83236, age 27, died at the hospital around 8:30 a.m. on April 1, 2020. He was incarcerated at the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP). Hedrick’s sentence started on December 10, 2015. He was serving a 20- to 30-year sentence out of Lancaster County for first degree sexual assault of a minor.

The cause of death has not been determined. As is the case...Read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (20-46)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

OFFICE 402-479-5713 | laura.strimple@nebraska.gov

Enhanced staff screenings launched at NDCS buildings

March 31, 2020 (Lincoln, Neb.) Staff members with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) are undergoing an enhanced screening process in order to be admitted within the agency’s facilities and office buildings. The screen consists of answering a set of questions concerning exposure to someone with COVID-19, recent travel by plane and a list of related symptoms.

...Read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (20-44)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

OFFICE 402-479-5713 | laura.strimple@nebraska.gov

Inmate dies at state penitentiary

March 27, 2020 (Lincoln, Neb.) – John Funaro #83207, age 63, died just after 11:00 a.m. on March 27, 2020 at the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP). His sentence started on August 1, 2016. Funaro was serving a 15- to 20-year sentence for charges out of Webster and Buffalo counties that included multiple counts for theft and burglary.

The manner of death is suspected to be natural causes...Read more

Pages