NDCS offering new bonuses to address staffing issues at Nebraska State Penitentiary

Nebraska Department of Corrections Director Scott Frakes on Thursday announced the department is offering new bonuses and initiatives to address staffing issues. 

Frakes said the prison was moved from a lockdown Wednesday to modified operations to allow for implementation of a new 12-hour operation schedule and to identify staffing needs. The facility will remain on modified operations status until Tuesday, during which time all inmate visitation will be canceled. 

“Staffing vacancies have led to frequent modifications to operations, impacting facility safety,” Frakes said. “It is necessary at this time to put the facility on a more manageable and consistent schedule.”

One change includes requiring many staff to move from eight-hour to 12-hour shifts, which Frakes said is not a long-term plan, but one necessary to stabilize the staffing changes and for the “safe and effective operation” of the facility. 

Frakes said that the new 12-hour schedule will be implemented at the start of next week. Shift staff will work four consecutive 12-hour days with three days off. 

Once more staff members are hired and trained, Director Frakes said the facility will return to normal hours of operation.

NDCS is also offering a $10,000 hiring bonus for new corporals hired at the Nebraska State Penitentiary, the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution and the Lincoln Correctional Center/Diagnostic and Evaluation Center. The previous bonus was $3,000. 

There is also a $10,000 bonus available to teammates who refer additional people for hire at NSP and TSCI. Teammates employed today at NSP will receive an
automatic $500 bonus at the end of the year.