FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (17-55)

CONTACT Dawn-Renee Smith, Communications Director

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

October 18, 2017 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Today, Director Scott R. Frakes released the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services’ (NDCS) strategic plan progress report. It covers initiatives such as capital investments, expanded programming, improved security, mission-specific housing and data-driven decisions.

Director Frakes said, “The NDCS team has demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to charting a new course for the agency and deepening public trust. I am proud of the work our team has done and pleased to provide this report.” 

The report, which highlights the work done during FY 2017, also boasts a timeline of the progress of corrections reform from February 2015 through October 2017.

The timeline (p.2) includes:

• Implementation of new evidence-based programming
• Capital construction requests
• Sentence calculation automation 
• LB 605 reforms
• Process improvement
• Changes to restrictive housing
• Implementation of first-ever risk/needs/responsivity assessment
• Justice reinvestment initiatives
• Retention strategies

“We never stop moving forward, pushing to improve and advance,” Director Frakes said. “We don’t have the luxury of stopping production while we re-tool and reorganize. Everything we accomplish is done in the middle of a high-risk setting that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.”

The report also includes a brief summary of each of the outcomes associated with the five leading goals identified in the strategic plan: 1) Culture of Reentry and Rehabilitation; 2) Collaborative Community Relationships; 3) One Team – One Vision; 4) Transforming Corrections; and 5) Transparent and Accountable.

Of particular note is:

• A 500 percent increase to capacity of the violence reduction program (p. 8)
• A 59 percent increase in incarcerated vocational and life skills participants (p. 8)
• The addition and expansion of evidence-based, cognitive-behavioral interventions (p.9)
• Partnerships with grant-funded and volunteer organizations (pp. 8 & 11)
• Improvements to safety efforts (p. 12)
• Increased retention strategies (p. 13)
• The increase in mission-specific housing (p. 15)
• The fiscal investment in strengthening public safety through corrections (p. 16)
• Capital construction efforts (pp. 18-19)

Director Frakes added, “Our mission: ‘Keep people safe’ drives everything we do. This organization is made up of team members who are on mission and do an incredible amount of work and accomplish much.”

The progress report can be found on the NDCS website. Hard copies are being distributed to the Nebraska Legislature and other stakeholders today and may be requested through the NDCS communications office.       

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