NDCS News Releases

NDCS News Releases

Inmate dies at hospital

October 8, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (21-115)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

October 8, 2021 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) Scott R. Frakes announced that an inmate in his 30s died today at a hospital in Omaha. The inmate tested positive for COVID-19.

For the privacy of the family as well as to maintain the confidentiality of the man’s medical records in accordance with state law, NDCS is not releasing the name of the inmate. He was sentenced on a charge of first-degree sexual assault out of Douglas...Read more

NDCS employee arrested

October 7, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (21-114)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

October 7, 2021 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Chianda Young, (26), a canteen operator at the Omaha Correctional Center (OCC) was arrested by the Nebraska State Patrol on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 for unauthorized communication with a prisoner (Neb. Rev. Stat. §83-417).

Young has been employed by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) since September 9, 2019. This is the only facility where she has worked. Young resigned her position with the agency.

Unauthorized...Read more

CCCO inmate death

October 5, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (21-112)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

October 5, 2021 (Omaha, Neb.) – Robert Camacho #83869, age 36, died on October 4, 2021 at the Community Corrections Center – Omaha (CCC-O). His sentence started April 18, 2016. Camacho was sentenced 15 to 20 years for a charge of first degree arson out of Douglas County.

The cause of death has not yet been determined. 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

Inmate dies at hospital

October 5, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (21-113)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

OFFICE 402-479-5713 | laura.strimple@nebraska.gov October 5, 2021 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) Scott R. Frakes announced that an inmate in his 40s died today at a hospital in Lincoln. The inmate tested positive for COVID-19 prior to being hospitalized.

For the privacy of the family as well as to maintain the confidentiality of the man’s medical records in accordance with state law, NDCS is not releasing the name of the inmate. He was sentenced on charges out of Lancaster County...Read more

NSP inmate death

October 4, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (21-111)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

October 4, 2021 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Lawrence Ortiz #27666, age 92, died today at the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP). His sentence began February 13, 1971. Ortiz was sentenced to life in prison for first degree murder in Buffalo County. He received 10 to 15 years for assault by a confined person in Lancaster County and six to 10 years for escape out of Douglas County.

While the cause of death has not been determined, Ortiz was being treated for long-term medical conditions. As is...Read more

TSCI moving to new operational schedule

October 4, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (21-110)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

October 4, 2021 (Lincoln, Neb.) – The Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI) will initiate the switch to a four-day operational schedule, which will go into effect Monday, October 18, 2021. Going forward, primary facility activities will take place Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“This consolidated schedule will allow us to maximize staffing at TSCI during those four, 12-hour days,” said Dir. Frakes. “A similar schedule was implemented at the Lincoln...Read more

Nebraska conference focused on “Reimagining Corrections”

October 1, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (21-109)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

OFFICE 402-479-5713 | laura.strimple@nebraska.gov October 1, 2021 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Wardens, superintendents and their deputies left Lincoln, Nebraska with plenty of ideas and information following a four-day long, presentation-packed conference. “Reimagining Corrections” was the theme of this year’s annual event, hosted by the West Central Wardens & Superintendents Association (WCWSA).

“The last time Nebraska hosted this event was back in 1953,” noted current association president and warden of the Nebraska State Penitentiary,...Read more

Missing inmate in custody

September 29, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (21-108)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

September 28, 2021 (Lincoln, Neb.) – An inmate who went missing from the Community Corrections Center – Lincoln (CCC-L) earlier this month is back in custody. Zackery Carlstrom #212038 was arrested by members of the Fremont Police Department today and is being held in the Saunders County jail where he is facing a new charge of obstructing a peace officer.

Carlstrom jumped a fence and left CCC-L on September 9. He began his sentence on September 14, 2020. He was sentenced to two...Read more

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