FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (20-42)

CONTACT Laura Strimple, Chief of Staff

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

TSCI staff members injured in assault

March 22, 2020 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Two inmates assaulted four staff members at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI) on the morning of March 21, 2020. One of the staff members sustained a serious* injury. 

The incident began when one inmate refused a cell search and appeared to be disposing of homemade alcohol in a toilet. When he physically refused to let staff members into his cell, they deployed chemicals (oleoresin capsicum) to gain his compliance. At that time, a second inmate from the same cell punched a staff member in the head. Staff members deployed additional chemicals in response to the assault. Both inmates kicked, punched and kneed the responding staff members. Eventually, the two men were restrained.  The housing unit was placed on modified operations* when other inmates in the area refused to comply with directives from staff members following the attacks. 

All four staff members were examined at a hospital. One was diagnosed with a concussion. The others had scrapes and bruises.

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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*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.

*Modified operations is defined as, actions taken to more closely control movement of inmates within a facility due to 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.