NDCS News Releases

NDCS News Releases

NDCS Mourns Loss and Honors Contributions of Warden Fred Britten

July 20, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (17-38)

CONTACT Dawn-Renee Smith, Communications Director

OFFICE 402-479-5713 | dawnrenee.smith@nebraska.gov

July 20, 2017 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Today, with heavy hearts, the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) mourns the death of Warden Fred Britten (62) who passed away yesterday following a brief battle with cancer.

Britten began his career with NDCS on December 5, 1977, as a corrections counselor at the old reformatory. He served the State of Nebraska for nearly 40 years holding numerous positions, including unit administrator, associate warden and deputy...Read more

Community Corrections Escapee Captured by Law Enforcement

July 15, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (17-37)

CONTACT Dawn-Renee Smith, Communications Director

OFFICE 402-479-5713 | dawnrenee.smith@nebraska.gov

July 15, 2017 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Shortly before midnight on July 14, 2017, Frederick Patterson, inmate number 57581, escaped from the Community Corrections Center - Lincoln (CCC-L) by breaking a window to get outside and then climbing the fence to leave the property. Lincoln Police Department, Lancaster Sheriff's Office, and the Nebraska State Patrol responded to emergency calls and captured Patterson in a field next to the facility.

A short time earlier, Patterson had...Read more

NDCS Partners with State Auditor for Process Improvement

July 6, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (17-36)

CONTACT Dawn-Renee Smith, Communications Director

OFFICE 402-479-5713 | dawnrenee.smith@nebraska.gov

​July 6, 2017 (Lincoln, Neb.) – The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) and Nebraska’s Auditor of Public Accounts partnered to improve processes within NDCS’ accounting division. NDCS had been trying to identify resources with the required expertise to address a backlog in that division. Charlie Janssen, Auditor of Public Accounts, offered to commit his staff’s time to provide assistance with this.

As the auditor’s office provided the needed assistance...Read more

Process Improvement Team Helps Employees Define the Work They Do

June 30, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (17-35)

CONTACT Cara Wilwerding, Communications Manager

OFFICE 402-479-5712 | cara.wilwerding@nebraska.gov

June 30, 2017 (Lincoln, Neb). – The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services’ (NDCS) process improvement team is creating a cultural change department-wide by getting frontline staff involved in problem solving.

Process improvement coordinators Heather Behl and Chris Gadeken said the work they do is really about giving NDCS employees ownership and value.

“They’re the ones doing the frontline work, so they know where the pitfalls and compromises are,” Behl...Read more

Alpha Celebrates First Graduations within NDCS

June 28, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (17-34)

CONTACT Cara Wilwerding, Communications Manager

OFFICE 402-479-5712 | cara.wilwerding@nebraska.gov

June 28, 2017 (Lincoln, Neb.) – In the past week, a total of 27 students graduated from Alpha programs in classes at both the Omaha Correctional Center (OCC) and the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI).

Alpha is a series of sessions designed to explore the Christian faith. Run worldwide, it is not specifically a prison program. Alpha network director Jodi Meyer said while the program is centered around Christianity, it does not exclude those of other faiths....Read more

Entrepreneurs In Training bond with volunteers

Defy Ventures Kick-Off at TSCI Inspires Hope, Creates Second Chances

June 21, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (17-33)

CONTACT Cara Wilwerding, Communications Manager

OFFICE 402-479-5712 | cara.wilwerding@nebraska.gov

June 21, 2017 (Lincoln, Neb.) – There was no shortage of passion during Defy Ventures’ kick-off event at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI) on Tuesday, June 21.

Defy Ventures, an organization which hosts entrepreneurship, employment and character development training programs for currently and formerly incarcerated men, women and youth, opened their “CEO of Your New Life” program up to about 60 incarcerated men. Each one seemed eager to get his ideas off...Read more

Frakes Appoints General Counsel

June 19, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (17-31)

CONTACT Dawn-Renee Smith, Communications Director

OFFICE 402-479-5713 | dawnrenee.smith@nebraska.gov

June 19, 2017 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Today, Director Scott R. Frakes announced the appointment of Candace Bottorf as the new Nebraska Department of Correctional Services general counsel.

She has been in the York County Attorney’s office for the past seven years. She became the deputy York county attorney in April 2010, was appointed as county attorney in February 2012 and elected in 2014.

As county attorney, she handled all employment issues for the county,...Read more

Two Staff Members Assaulted at LCC

June 19, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (17-32)

CONTACT Dawn-Renee Smith, Communications Director

OFFICE 402-479-5713 | dawnrenee.smith@nebraska.gov

June 19, 2017 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Two staff members were assaulted by an inmate at the Lincoln Correctional Center (LCC) this morning at approximately 7:30 a.m.

The inmate was agitated and staff members were escorting him to a holding cell. As they were walking the inmate struck one staff member several times in the face. The other staff member was also struck in the head before Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) was deployed. The staff members used OC spray and physical force to...Read more

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