NDCS News Releases

NDCS News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (22-07)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

January 18, 2022 (Omaha, NE.) – Authorities have been notified about an inmate missing from the Community Corrections Center – Omaha (CCC-O). Brandon Bridgeford #74614 did not return to the facility from his place of work in the community today. The electronic monitoring device he was wearing was deactivated.

Bridgeford started his sentence on November 4, 2011. He was sentenced to 18 to 26 years on charges out of Douglas County that include two counts of theft by receiving stolen...Read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (22-06)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

January 16, 2022 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Richard Baney #213892, age 70, died today at a hospital in Omaha. He was incarcerated at the Community Corrections Center – Omaha (CCC-O).

Baney’s sentence started on October 1, 2021. He was sentenced to one year and nine months on charges out of Madison County that included driving under the influence (second offense) and driving under a revoked license.

The cause of death has not yet been determined. As is the case whenever an inmate...Read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (22-05)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

January 11, 2022 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Sarah Nelson Torsiello (45), an assistant warden at the Reception and Treatment Center (RTC), was arrested by the Nebraska State Patrol today for unauthorized communication with a prisoner (Neb. Rev. Stat. §83-417) and sexual abuse of an inmate (Neb. Rev. Stat. §28-322.01). Both are felony offenses.

Torsiello has been employed by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) since August 8, 2003. She has held multiple positions at the...Read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (22-04)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

January 7, 2022 (Lincoln, Neb.) – A newly released engineering study details more than $220 million in upgrades necessary to extend the useful life of the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP). The 291-page report was provided today to members of the Nebraska State Legislature. The study, funded and approved by state senators last year, details deficiencies and costs relative to all buildings and structures located at NSP, as well as infrastructure and site-related systems.

“In order...Read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (22-03)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

January 4, 2022 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Authorities have been notified about an inmate missing from the Community Corrections Center – Lincoln (CCC-L). Christian Crawford #88438 was assigned to remove trash from the building this afternoon. He did not come back inside and was spotted running away from the facility shortly after 5:00 p.m. He later deactivated the electronic monitoring device he was wearing near SW 18 and West Jean Avenue.

Crawford started his sentence on October 5, 2018...Read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (22-01)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

January 3, 2022 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Kristopher Prigge #89347, age 35, died on Sunday, January 2, 2022 at a hospital in Lincoln. He was incarcerated at the Diagnostic and Evaluation Center (DEC).

Prigge’s sentence began on April 3, 2019. He was serving a 40 to 45 year sentence on charges out of Polk County that included first degree sexual assault on a child and incest.

While the cause of death has not yet been determined, Prigge was being treated for a medical condition. As...Read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (21-136)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

December 22, 2021 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Pay increases have prompted a spike in applications to the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS), in particular, for positions that work most directly with the inmate population. Director Scott R. Frakes says preliminary data indicates significant interest, including from individuals who work outside of the state.

“We have had inquiries from at least 10 other states and have had potential recruits travel from California and...Read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (21-135)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

December 13, 2021 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Authorities have been notified about an inmate missing from the Community Corrections Center – Lincoln (CCC-L). Lajuan Jones #86630 did not report to work this morning. There was also an indication that the electronic monitoring device he was wearing was removed near 27th and O Street.

Jones started his sentence on October 31, 2017. He was sentenced to eight to 10 years on burglary and theft charges out of Douglas County. He has a tentative...Read more

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