Office of the NDCS Chief Inspector

A strong constituent services model within our agency further enhances oversight by providing clear avenues for reporting concerns. This model handles inquiries fairly and efficiently, encourages individuals to voice concerns without fear of retaliation, and reinforces institutional accountability. By establishing transparent and accessible reporting mechanisms with an independent review process, our facilities can promote policy compliance and improve conditions, ensuring that any internal and external constituent has access to express their concerns.

View the current Semiannual Report—Subsection: Constituent Services

The grievance process plays a crucial role for the population in ensuring fairness, accountability, and transparency within our facilities. Grievances can address institutional misconduct, ranging from issues with team members' conduct or living conditions to violations of their rights. Grievances provide incarcerated individuals with a formal way to communicate concerns to be investigated and addressed accordingly. Operationally, grievances serve as a management tool that helps identify trends, provide administrative remedies for complaints, and reduce conflict.

View the current Semiannual Report—Subsection: Grievances

The disciplinary appeals process for the population is a crucial mechanism for ensuring fairness, accountability, and justice within our facilities. When an incarcerated individual challenges institutional decisions or discipline, the appeals process offers a structured way to review, and potentially correct actions taken by facility team members or administrators.

View the current Semiannual Report—Subsection: Disciplinary Appeals

The office of the chief inspector monitors use of force incidents, use of force training, use of force policies, and reviews all complaints of excessive use of force. The chief inspector also serves as an ad hoc member of the use of force review committee whenever needed.

View the current Semiannual Report—Subsection: Use of Force Monitoring

Monitoring of medical services is crucial to ensuring that facilities provide the community standard of care to incarcerated individuals. Oversight ensures that the medical needs of individuals are met effectively and ethically. In support of this important process, this office recently selected a Registered Nurse - Deputy Inspector to investigate medical related grievances, concerns, and proactively monitor related processes through specialized oversight with a clinical focus independently through the Office of the NDCS Chief Inspector.

Monitoring internal investigations is vital for fostering transparency, accountability, and fairness within our agency. This oversight ensures all investigations are prompt, impartial, and thorough, building public trust and reducing legal liability. It promotes a culture of accountability, encouraging employees to uphold ethical standards and to report misconduct. This process also supports data-driven decision-making, allowing leadership to identify systemic issues and implement preventative measures.

View the current Semiannual Report—Subsection: Internal Investigation Monitoring

**Special Investigations: At the request of the NDCS Director, Assistant Director, or independently from the NDCS Chief Inspector, this office will conduct special investigations, reviews, inspections, or audits within the agency.

Workplace Harassment Prevention

The process of monitoring workplace harassment investigations serves three essential purposes, which include: maintaining compliance standards, safeguarding team members, and building an environment based on accountability. The system guarantees proper investigation of all harassment claims and demonstrates the organization's dedication to harassment prevention.

Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Complaint Monitoring

The monitoring of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) related complaints or incidents in our facilities serves three main purposes, which include: maintaining compliance standards, safeguarding at-risk populations, and creating safer environments. The system ensures complete investigation of PREA-related claims while maintaining accountability standards and upholding facility-wide sexual assault/abuse prevention efforts.

Criminal Investigation Monitoring

Monitoring criminal investigations is crucial for ensuring due process, protecting the rights of individuals, and upholding the integrity of NDCS criminal investigations. This ensures that criminal investigations are conducted ethically and legally, reinforcing our commitment to justice and encouraging the public to have greater confidence in our agency.

The Office of the NDCS Chief Inspector tracks and monitors team member training to ensure compliance with established training requirements in policy and/or law.

View the current Semiannual Report—Subsection: Team Member Training Compliance

At the request of the NDCS Director or Assistant Director or independently by the NDCS Chief Inspector, this office will conduct special investigations, reviews, inspections, or audits within the agency.

The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) is mandated to report on specific areas of operations within our institutions. Our agency strives to track and provide informative data to the legislature, allowing them to make informed decisions regarding Nebraska’s correctional system. Currently, the legislature mandates the NDCS to report on the following areas: Mandatory Discharges, Biennium Budget Strategic Plans, Restrictive Housing, Work Ethic Camp Facility Report, Correctional System Overcrowding Report, and the Juvenile Confinement Report.

View the current Semiannual Report—Subsection: Mandated Legislative Reports