FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (18-24)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Communications Director

OFFICE 402-479-5712 | laura.strimple@nebraska.gov

September 17, 2018 (LINCOLN, Neb.) – Today, Director Scott R. Frakes submitted the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services’ (NDCS) budget request for fiscal years 2019-2020 (FY20) and 2020-2021 (FY21). Included in the budget submission is the agency’s 2019-2023 strategic plan.

“The work of NDCS is wide-ranging and identifying our customers is central to our strategic plan,” Director Frakes said. “The safety of our team members and the people we incarcerate is foundational to everything we seek to accomplish. Our commitment to continuous improvement is our opportunity for excellence and our responsibility to the taxpayers of Nebraska.”

Strategic outcomes include:

Reduce the number of workplace injuries by 50%
Reduce agency turnover to 18%
Provide programming prior to parole eligibility 100% of the time
Develop and establish 10 additional mission specific housing units
Fully implement electronic health records
Prepare individuals to transition through community custody prior to release

The strategic outcomes are organized around three priority areas: NDCS team members; incarcerated people; and Nebraska taxpayers. There are four outcomes within each area, which will be measured and tracked to ensure forward progress and accountability.

By prioritizing team members, we cultivate a work environment where every person feels respected, appreciated and believes his or her opinion matters. For that growth to occur, we focus on the following outcomes: team member safety; engagement; performance; and retention.

The primary role of the corrections system is public safety. We work to provide the right opportunities to the right people at the right time. To assess our success when it comes to serving incarcerated people, we focus on these outcomes: safety; increased programming; reentry success; and improving quality of life.

Sound financial practices, appropriate use of funds and transparency are essential to maintaining taxpayer trust. We have identified four outcomes that address accountability and transparency: technology advancement; process improvement; resource allocation; and public safety.

The budget request includes 52 new team members, $15.2M to expand infrastructure at the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP), and $250,000 to expand core risk-reducing programming. The Governor’s FY18 budget included the addition of a 100-bed dormitory at NSP.

“The implementation of the custody staffing analysis remains a priority,” Director Frakes said.

“The staffing analysis identified staffing needs across the agency and positions will be deployed at facilities in locations where recruitment is plentiful.”

The NSP expansion project will address food preparation and dining needs for the population. It will provide additional programming space to replace temporary structures that were built more than 30 years ago.

“The expansion of infrastructure and programming opportunities provides improved engagement by the population, leading to greater reentry success. These requests along with the $117M the Governor and Nebraska Legislature have invested in NDCS over the last three years are consistent with our vision of safe prisons, transformed lives and safe communities.”

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS:

STAFF: 52 FTE

PROTECTIVE SERVICES STAFF

FY20: 24 FTE Protective Services

18 Corporals
6 Sergeants

FY21: 24 FTE Protective Services

18 Corporals
6 Sergeants

*Protective Services staff requests for FY20 are budgeted to phase in at 6 FTE per quarter.

CASE MANAGEMENT STAFF

4 FTE to meet the needs of the population in order to prepare people to return to the community: 4 Case Managers (OCC, NSP, NCCW,CCCL)

CAPTIAL CONSTRUCTION

NSP infrastructure expansion: kitchen, dining, library and programming space
Program 913 – security upgrades
Program 914 – infrastructure needs

OTHER:

Electronic Health Records (EHR)