FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (19-15)
CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff
OFFICE 402-479-5713 | laura.strimple@nebraska.gov

Staff member assaulted at TSCI​

April 8, 2019 (Lincoln, Neb) – An inmate at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI) assaulted a staff member on Monday, April 8, 2019.

Around 1:40 p.m. the inmate exited his cell when his door was opened by mistake. The inmate hit the staff member in the head and torso with his fists. That staff member was able to help subdue the inmate, along with several other officers who came to assist. One staff member deployed two short bursts of oleoresin capsicum (pepper spray) to bring the inmate under control. A homemade weapon was recovered at the scene, but was not used in the assault.

As a result of this incident and another that occurred on March 21, the Special Management Unit (SMU) at TSCI, has been placed on modified operations*. The SMU holds individuals who are assigned to restrictive housing. The remainder of the facility is operating normally. 

“It appears this situation was the result of human error,” explained Scott R. Frakes, director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS). “Mistakes can lead to bad outcomes in any line of work, and this is especially true in corrections. Modified operations will remain in place until we complete the steps necessary to ensure this does not happen again.”

Frakes said that initially the door to a shower was supposed to be opened, instead of the cell door. The officer who was assaulted went to Johnson County Hospital where he was assessed. He later returned to the facility.

The incident will be investigated with findings provided to the county attorney for determination of criminal prosecution. The NDCS disciplinary process will be utilized with sanctions, such as loss of good time, applied according to the rules and regulations.

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*Modified operations is defined as, actions taken to more closely control movement of inmates within a facility due safety and security needs.  Can include confinement in cells of a portion of the inmate population, cancellation of program/work activities, and direct escort of certain inmates – as determined by the Warden/designee.