Prisons are an integral part of the criminal justice system in Nebraska, housing individuals who have been convicted of various crimes. Nebraska has a number of state-run and privately-owned prisons located throughout the state, each with its own set of regulations and conditions.
While prisons are intended to serve as a means of rehabilitation and punishment for those who have committed crimes, there has been an ongoing debate surrounding the effectiveness of the prison system in Nebraska and its impact on society as a whole.
This article aims to explore the state of prisons in Nebraska, examining their history, current conditions, and the challenges and opportunities facing the state in its efforts to reform its criminal justice system.
Nebraska Prison Map
Use the Nebraska prison map below to locate any facility. Click on the map markers to read our detailed guide of that facility.
State Prisons
| Prison Name | Location | Inmate Capacity | Security Levels | Gender | Operator/ Manager |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Corrections Center – Lincoln | Lincoln | 660 (500 men, 160 women) | Medium/ Minimum | Male/Female | Nebraska Department of Correctional Services |
| Community Corrections Center – Omaha | Omaha | 179 | Level II | Male | Nebraska Department of Correctional Services |
| Nebraska Correctional Center for Women | Nebraska | 275 | Maximum/ Medium/ Minimum | Female | Nebraska Department of Correctional Services |
| Nebraska Correctional Youth Facility | Omaha | 68 | Maximum/ Medium/ Minimum | Male | Nebraska Department of Correctional Services |
| Nebraska State Penitentiary | Lincoln | 1300 | Maximum/ Medium/ Minimum | Male | Nebraska Department of Correctional Services |
| Omaha Correctional Center | Omaha | 766 | Medium/ Minimum | Male | Nebraska Department of Correctional Services |
| Tecumseh State Correctional Institution | Tecumseh | 2500 | Maximum/ Medium | Male | Nebraska Department of Correctional Services |
Community Corrections Center – Lincoln
The Community Corrections Center – Lincoln, located in Nebraska, has a rich history dating back to the fall of 1967 when Legislative Bill 569 created the Work Release Program.
Since then, the institution has undergone several changes, including the establishment of a community residential program in 1971 and the construction of a new institution in 1991. Today, the facility boasts four housing units, including three for men and one for women, and can currently house 500 men and 160 women.
In 2017, a 100-bed men’s transitional housing unit was added to the facility, and in 2019, a new 160-bed female living unit was opened. The Community Corrections Center – Lincoln continues to play a vital role in the rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates into society.
Community Corrections Center – Omaha
The Community Corrections Center – Omaha is a facility in Nebraska that is designed to house male inmates classified as Community A and Community B custody inmates.
This community-based center has a total of 179 beds, with 87 beds designated for male inmates assigned to the work detail program and 92 beds available for male inmates participating in the work release program.
The facility offers a variety of programs to support the inmates’ rehabilitation and reintegration into society, including education and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services.
Inmates are expected to work during the day, either in the community or within the facility, and return to the center in the evening. The goal of the Community Corrections Center-Omaha is to provide a safe and supportive environment for inmates to prepare for their eventual release and successful reentry into their communities.
Nebraska Correctional Center for Women
The Nebraska Correctional Center for Women (NCCW) is the only secure correctional facility in Nebraska exclusively for adult women. With a capacity of 275 beds, the facility houses inmates of maximum, medium, and minimum custody levels, as well as court-ordered evaluators and county safe keepers.
NCCW is also the diagnostic and evaluation center for all newly committed female inmates. Upon arrival, inmates undergo a 30-day Orientation program, which is segregated from the general population.
During this period, inmates receive medical and mental health evaluations and learn about various programming opportunities available to them during their incarceration. Each inmate has a personalized classification and programming plan developed to address personal deficiencies.
Visiting during the Orientation program is limited to one visit by immediate family members only.
Nebraska Correctional Youth Facility
The Nebraska Correctional Youth Facility (NCYF) is a male correctional facility that provides general population adult housing units as well as specialized housing for youthful offenders adjudicated as adults.
This maximum, medium, and minimum security facility encompasses approximately 54,000 square feet with a construction cost of approximately $10.8 million. NCYF has been accredited by the American Correctional Association (ACA) since 2000.
The major operational areas of this facility are Custody and Unit Management with a focus on management, programming, and discipline that protects staff, inmates, and the public. Inmates have the opportunity to participate in a variety of recreational activities seven days a week.
Youthful offenders may apply to participate in community custody programs to include work detail, work release, or education release.
Upon arrival, youthful offenders complete additional in-processing documents, receive an initial medical screening, are assigned a room, receive their clothing and bedding, and any personal property brought with them is inventoried. Following a 30-day orientation period, individuals are placed in general population.
Nebraska State Penitentiary
The Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP) has a long and rich history in the state of Nebraska. Established in 1869, it is the oldest state correctional facility in the state and was the only adult correctional facility until after World War I.
Today, NSP houses primarily adult inmates ranging in age from 21 and older who are serving sentences of varying lengths. To improve control and staff/inmate relationships, NSP uses the unit management concept, dividing the larger institution population into smaller, more manageable groups.
The facility has undergone significant upgrades, including the replacement of existing cellblocks with modular housing units, a new administrative complex, and an EPA-approved multi-fuel power plant. Additionally, NSP maintains three housing units with minimum security inmates, including a residential substance abuse unit.
The facility has been accredited by the American Correctional Association since 1985.
Omaha Correctional Center
The Omaha Correctional Center (OCC) is a medium and minimum security facility located on a 37-acre site in East Omaha, just south of Eppley Airfield. The facility was opened on April 24, 1984, with a design capacity of 240 inmates at a total cost of approximately $17 million.
Today, the OCC has an operational capacity of 766 inmates in double and multiple occupancy rooms, with an additional housing unit added in 1994 bringing the design capacity to 396 inmate beds. The OCC has been accredited by the American Correctional Association since 1986.
The facility boasts a separate entrance building, an inner complex including an indoor/outdoor visiting area, a library, a religious center, a dental and medical area, a restrictive housing unit, academic and pre-employment training areas, a central physical plant, laundry, kitchen and dining room, Cornhusker State Industries, canteen, and a gymnasium.
Tecumseh State Correctional Institution
The Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI) is a maximum/medium security prison located in Tecumseh, Nebraska. It was established in 1997 and began accepting inmates in December 2001.
TSCI houses adult males who are serving sentences for various crimes and includes a 194-bed restrictive housing unit for inmates who require higher levels of security. The facility also has a ten-bed skilled nursing facility, clinic exam rooms, on-site x-ray, medical laboratory, optometry, and dental.
It is important to note that TSCI houses inmates sentenced to the death penalty, but the administration of such sentences occurs at the Nebraska State Penitentiary. TSCI has been an important part of Nebraska’s correctional system for over two decades.
Sources:
https://www.corrections.nebraska.gov/facilities/community-corrections-center-lincoln
https://www.corrections.nebraska.gov/facilities/community-corrections-center-omaha
https://www.corrections.nebraska.gov/facilities/nebraska-correctional-center-women
https://www.corrections.nebraska.gov/facilities/nebraska-correctional-youth-facility
https://www.corrections.nebraska.gov/facilities/nebraska-state-penitentiary
https://www.corrections.nebraska.gov/facilities/omaha-correctional-center
https://www.corrections.nebraska.gov/facilities/tecumseh-state-correctional-institution