NDCS News Releases

NDCS News Releases

TSCI fires result in inmate death

October 6, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (23-65)

CONTACT Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications

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

October 6, 2023 (Tecumseh, Neb.) – Jesse Spencer #80917 (27) died at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI) on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. He was found unresponsive inside his cell.

Spencer was one of five inmates who intentionally set fires inside of their cells on a housing unit around 6:00 p.m. Staff members responded immediately, including members of the facility’s Corrections Emergency Response Team (CERT). Inmates in the affected cells...Read more

TSCI staff members injured in assault

October 2, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (23-64)

CONTACT Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications

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

October 2, 2023 (Tecumseh, Neb.) – An inmate at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI) assaulted multiple staff members on Saturday, September 30, 2023, resulting in serious* injuries to two of them.

The assault occurred in the afternoon when staff members were conducting a random cell search. Once removed from the cell for the search, the inmate used his head to strike staff members in the face. Staff members restrained the inmate and...Read more

NDCS teammates honored at annual awards ceremony

September 15, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (23-63)

CONTACT Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications

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

September 15, 2023 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Team members at the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) carry out the mission to keep people safe each and every day. Today, recognition was given to the best of the best for their achievements in 2022 to provide leadership, customer and community service, mentorship, training and more at the department’s annual awards ceremony. The event was held at the Lancaster Extension Education Center and honored 38...Read more

Inmate missing from community corrections facility

September 15, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (23-62)

CONTACT Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications

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

September 14, 2023 (Omaha, Neb.) – Authorities have been notified about an inmate missing from the Community Corrections Center – Omaha (CCC-O). Austin Risor #84566 left his place of employment and did not return to CCC-O.

Risor started his sentence on September 16, 2016. He was sentenced to 10 to 12 years for charges out of Madison County that include theft, operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, and drug charges. He has a tentative release date of...Read more

NDCS and NDHHS partner for Medicaid enrollment

September 14, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (23-61)

CONTACT Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications

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

September 14, 2023 (Lincoln, Neb.) – The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS) are partnering to facilitate Nebraska Medicaid enrollment for individuals releasing from NDCS custody.

LB921, which took effect July 1, 2023, ensures individuals releasing from any NDCS facility are assisted with applying for Medicaid benefits prior to their release. Individuals can qualify for...Read more

Inmate missing from community corrections facility

September 6, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (23-60)

CONTACT Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications

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

September 6, 2023 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Authorities have been notified about an inmate missing from the Community Corrections Center – Lincoln (CCC-L). Ian Eastman #215514 left his place of employment and did not return to CCC-L.

Eastman started his sentence on September 14, 2022. He was sentenced to zero to 42 months for charges out of Lancaster County that include possession of a controlled substance and theft by unlawful taking. He has a tentative release...Read more

TSCI inmate death

August 29, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (23-59)

CONTACT Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications

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

August 29, 2023 (Tecumseh, Neb.) – Alfred Thulin #45659, age 76, died August 25, 2023, at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI). The Nebraska State Patrol is conducting the investigation into his death.

Thulin’s sentence began on June 7, 1994. He was serving a 40 year to 80 year and 14 day sentence for first degree sexual assault on a child and escape out of Hall County.

As is the case whenever an inmate dies in the custody of the...Read more

TSCI inmate death

August 29, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (23-58)

CONTACT Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications

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

August 29, 2023 (Tecumseh, Neb.) –Decabooter Williams #60507, age 71, died this morning at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI), where he was incarcerated.

His sentence began on June 14, 2004. He was serving a life sentence for two counts of first degree murder out of Douglas County.

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

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