NDCS News Releases

NDCS News Releases

NDCS staff member arrested

January 11, 2022

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

Penitentiary engineering study released while sites are identified for replacement facility

January 7, 2022

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

Inmate missing from community correctional facility

January 4, 2022

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

DEC inmate death

January 3, 2022

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

Pay increases spike applications to NDCS

December 22, 2021

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

Inmate missing from community correctional facility

December 13, 2021

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

Inmate dies at TSCI

December 7, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (21-134)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

December 7, 2021 (Tecumseh, Neb.) – Michael Becker #88880, age 25, died this morning at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI). His sentence started on January 4, 2019. Becker was serving a 15 to 20 year sentence on charges out of Buffalo County that included robbery and second degree assault.

As is the case whenever an inmate dies in the custody of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS), a grand jury will conduct an investigation....Read more

TSCI inmate death

December 2, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (21-133)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

December 2, 2021 (Tecumseh, Neb.) – Frank Hardy #73553, age 68, died Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI). His sentence started May 4, 2011. Hardy was serving a 75 to 95 year sentence on charges of Gage County that included first degree sexual assault of a child, third degree sexual assault of a child and visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct.

While the cause of death has not yet been determined, Hardy was being treated for a...Read more

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