NDCS News Releases

NDCS News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (20-49)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

NDCS staff member tests positive for COVID-19

April 4, 2020 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Today, Director Scott R. Frakes announced that a staff member in the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). The staff member is employed at the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP) and has been isolated at home for the past 10 days.

This is the first confirmed case of COVID-19 to be...Read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (20-48)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

All NDCS staff to wear masks on the job

April 2, 2020 (Lincoln, Neb.) Today, Scott R. Frakes, director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) announced that staff members will be required to wear face masks while at work. The mandate will apply to staff members who work in the agency’s 10 prison facilities, Cornhusker State Industries (CSI) and in all office buildings and warehouses.

“We continue to take steps as...Read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (20-47)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

Inmate dies at hospital

April 1, 2020 (Lincoln, Neb.) -- Jackson Hedrick # 83236, age 27, died at the hospital around 8:30 a.m. on April 1, 2020. He was incarcerated at the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP). Hedrick’s sentence started on December 10, 2015. He was serving a 20- to 30-year sentence out of Lancaster County for first degree sexual assault of a minor.

The cause of death has not been determined. As is the case...Read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (20-46)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

Enhanced staff screenings launched at NDCS buildings

March 31, 2020 (Lincoln, Neb.) Staff members with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) are undergoing an enhanced screening process in order to be admitted within the agency’s facilities and office buildings. The screen consists of answering a set of questions concerning exposure to someone with COVID-19, recent travel by plane and a list of related symptoms.

...Read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (20-44)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

Inmate dies at state penitentiary

March 27, 2020 (Lincoln, Neb.) – John Funaro #83207, age 63, died just after 11:00 a.m. on March 27, 2020 at the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP). His sentence started on August 1, 2016. Funaro was serving a 15- to 20-year sentence for charges out of Webster and Buffalo counties that included multiple counts for theft and burglary.

The manner of death is suspected to be natural causes...Read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (20-45)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

TSCI staff members injured in assault

March 29, 2020 (Lincoln, Neb.) – An inmate assaulted two staff members at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI) on March 28, 2020. Both staff members sustained serious* injuries.

The inmate was engaged in behavior in violation of housing unit rules. After being directed to stop multiple times by the first staff member, the inmate approached and punched him several times in the head and...Read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (20-43)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

CSI to begin production of hand sanitizer, gowns and masks

March 23, 2020 (Lincoln, Neb.) – In an effort to meet some of the supply needs that have arisen with the onset of the coronavirus (COVID-19), Cornhusker State Industries (CSI)*, which operates the industry shops for the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS), will soon begin producing hand sanitizer for utilization by staff members and distribution to other state agencies....Read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (20-42)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

TSCI staff members injured in assault

March 22, 2020 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Two inmates assaulted four staff members at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI) on the morning of March 21, 2020. One of the staff members sustained a serious* injury.

The incident began when one inmate refused a cell search and appeared to be disposing of homemade alcohol in a toilet. When he physically refused to let staff members into his cell, they...Read more

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