Phone:
(402) 471-3330

The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services Diagnostic and Evaluation Center (DEC) was established by the Nebraska State Legislature in 1976 as part of Legislative Bill 984. Construction was completed in June of 1979 and the new institution was opened in August of 1979 as a 176-bed, maximum custody, reception, diagnostic, evaluation, assessment, classification and assignment facility. (more)

Programs: Due to the short length of stay at the institution, there are no industry programs and limited education programs. Each newly admitted inmate, following review of the admission order to ensure legal commitment, begins participation in an intensive medical, psychological, and social assessment process. This process culminates in the finalization of an individual classification study and specific programming recommendations to the Classification Officer relative to custody status and institutional placement. Varied program services are offered and encouraged through recreation and library programs. The maintenance of family and community ties is encouraged through the visitation, mail and telephone programs. Religious programming is also available to the inmate population. Several other opportunities including Alcoholics Anonymous and a Pre-Release program are available for inmate participation.

Security Level: Maximum

Visiting hours for Approved Visitors: *Wednesday through Sunday, 8:00 am - 11:00 am, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

*Visiting days are established based on the last digit of the inmate's assigned institutional number. As such, all visitors should verify the inmate's assigned visiting day prior to traveling to the institution. Visitors must be approved and placed on an inmate's visiting list prior to visitation. This can be done by filling out a visitation request form.

Diagnostic and Evaluation Center Visiting Procedures

Directions to the facility: The Diagnostic and Evaluation Center is located at 3220 West Van Dorn Street. From Interstate 80 take exit 397 (Highway 77 south) to West Van Dorn exit. Travel west on West Van Dorn approximately 2 miles to the facility.

For more information regarding this facility, please call or e-mail the public information officer, Tammy Klurer, at (402) 479-6343.

About the Diagnostic and Evaluation Center:

As provided by State Statute, all adult males sentenced to the Department of Correctional Service by the County and District courts of the State of Nebraska are received into the correctional system at the Diagnostic and Evaluation Center. In addition, the institution houses ninety-day evaluators sentenced by the court for assessment, county safekeepers, interstate transfers and returned parolees and escapees. View our Intake Procedures.

The single structure, two-story institution consists of nine inmate housing units and an infirmary, which includes eight licensed hospital beds and a fully staffed initial admission clinic. Administrative offices and the infirmary are located on the upper level of the institution. All other inmate housing, as well as programming areas, including a gymnasium and custody and case management offices, are located on the lower level.

DEC has been accredited by the American Correctional Association since 1981.