NDCS News Releases

NDCS News Releases

LCC inmate dies at hospital

March 6, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (19-07)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

March 5, 2019 (Lincoln, Neb.) -- Steven Braesch, (46), inmate #81255, died on Tuesday, March 5, 2019, at Bryan Hospital West. He was assigned to the Lincoln Correctional Center (LCC).

Shortly before 9:30 a.m. on March 4, Braesch was found unresponsive in his cell from an apparent suicide attempt. Staff members immediately initiated CPR. Braesch was transported to the hospital by emergency responders.

Braesch was serving a life...Read more

NDCS seeks to fill vacancies in work group

February 20, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (19-06)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

February 19, 2019 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Today, Director Scott R. Frakes announced he is seeking two mental health professionals to fill open positions in the agency’s Long Term Restrictive Housing Work Group. Each individual will be appointed by Governor Ricketts to serve a three year term.

Members of the group provide advice related to the policies and procedures surrounding the proper treatment and care of offenders in long-...Read more

Cold conditions addressed at correctional center

February 8, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (19-04)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Communications Director

OFFICE 402-479-5712 | laura.strimple@nebraska.gov

February 8, 2019 (Lincoln, Neb.) Today, Scott R. Frakes says measures are being taken to address heating issues at the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women (NCCW) in York.

“Frigid temperatures outside have certainly had an impact and some of the systems used to maintain consistent heat throughout that facility are not able to keep up with the demand.”

None of the current issues are affecting areas where the women are housed. Some of...Read more

NDCS community corrections inmate in custody

February 8, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (19-03)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Communications Director

OFFICE 402-479-5712 | laura.strimple@nebraska.gov

February 8, 2019 (Lincoln, Neb) Today, Scott R. Frakes announced the arrest of inmate Anthony Gafford (#52277) in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gafford was placed on escape status January 26, 2019, when he failed to return to the Community Correction Center-Lincoln (CCC-L) following a work assignment.

The U.S. Marshals Service apprehended Gafford (#52277) on February 7, 2019 after receiving information from the U.S. Marshals Metro Fugitive Task Force in Nebraska...Read more

NDCS community corrections inmate remains missing

January 29, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (19-02)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Communications Director

OFFICE 402-479-5712 | laura.strimple@nebraska.gov

January 29, 2019 (Lincoln, Neb) An inmate who did not return to the Community Corrections Center-Lincoln (CCC-L) following a work assignment remains missing. Anthony Gafford (#52277) was placed on escape status shortly after 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 26, 2019. He has been housed at CCC-L since May 2018 and was scheduled for an upcoming parole hearing in April.

Gafford was sentenced 30 to 50 years for 2nd degree murder and use of a weapon to commit a felony...Read more

NDCS Progress Report highlights accomplishments in 2017-2018 fiscal year

January 14, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (19-02)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

January 14, 2019 (Lincoln, Neb) – Today, Director Scott R. Frakes released the 2018 Strategic Plan Progress Report for the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS). The report summarizes the accomplishments achieved in the final fiscal year of the agency’s 2015-2018 strategic plan.

The structure of the report includes a number of outcomes, by which the agency has measured progress in the following five areas: reentry and rehabilitation,...Read more

Significant drop in teammate turnover at NDCS

January 13, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (19-01)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

January 13, 2019 (Lincoln, Neb) Today, Scott R. Frakes announced a significant drop in turnover among teammates employed with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS). Agency-wide turnover fell to just under 24 percent in 2018, and protective services turnover was 31 percent. This reflects a 14 percent reduction for agency turnover and a nine percent reduction for protective services positions.

“Agency-wide turnover has continued to climb...Read more

Inmate Death at Nebraska State Penitentiary

December 19, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (18-35)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Communications Director

OFFICE 402-479-5712 | laura.strimple@nebraska.gov

December 19, 2018 (Lincoln, NE) – Roger Schmidt (74), #65969, died today at 1:58 a.m. at the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP). Schmidt was serving a 38 to 45-year sentence for first degree sexual assault of a child. His sentence began on May 18, 2007.

The cause of death has not been determined. Schmidt was under treatment for long-term medical conditions.

As is the case whenever an inmate...Read more

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