FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (21-80)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

July 6, 2021 (Tecumseh, Neb.) – An inmate assaulted a staff member at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI) today, resulting in a serious injury*.  

The staff member was making sure a door was secured when the inmate, who lives in a cell room nearby, punched the staff member repeatedly and used his knee to strike the staff member in the torso. The assault ceased and the inmate was restrained by responding staff members. The staff member was evaluated and treated at the hospital for injuries to his head and torso.

In a separate housing unit, members of the Corrections Emergency Response Team (CERT) joined staff at TSCI in conducting targeted searches of cell rooms today. The action was prompted in large part by an incident Saturday, in which three inmates set fires within their own cell rooms. All three refused to leave their rooms and became combative.

“Two of the inmates used homemade weapons in those incidents,” said Director Scott R. Frakes, Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS). “Fortunately, injuries to two staff members were minor, but that was the impetus for more extensive cell searches in that housing unit today.”

The Tecumseh Fire Department assisted with extinguishing one of the fires on Saturday. The fires were contained to the three cells and did not spread. All inmates were checked to ensure they were not affected by the smoke.

Investigations into all the assaults will be 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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*Assaults with serious injury: A serious injury requires urgent and immediate medical treatment and restricts the person’s usual activity. Medical treatment should be more extensive than mere first aid, such as the application of bandages to wounds. It might include stitches, use of Dermabond or other topical adhesive, setting of broken bones, treatment of concussion, loss of consciousness, etc.