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Nebraska Correctional Center For Women
John J. Dahm, Warden
1107 Recharge Road |
York, Nebraska 68467-8003 |
Phone:
(402) 362-3317
The Nebraska Correctional Center for Women (NCCW), located just west of York, Nebraska, is the only secure state correctional facility for adult women. (more)
Programs: Up to 80% of NCCW's population have self reported substance abuse problems or history of involvement in domestic violence as an adult or as a child. Rather than merely addressing the symptoms, staff at NCCW attempt to focus on the roots of the problem(s). Education and training that encourages personal responsibility and fosters self-reliance is provided. (more)
Security Levels: NCCW houses all classifications levels of female inmates (except community A and B) including new commitments, court-ordered evaluators and safe-keepers from county facilities. For more information on Intake Procedures, click here.
Visitation: Anyone wanting to visit an inmate at NCCW must first complete a Visitor Registration Form. These forms can be sent out to the person by the inmate or picked up at NCCW. Once the forms are completed, the Visitor Registration Form must then be mailed to the Administration Office of NCCW. (more)
NCCW Visiting Procedures
Directions to the Facility: The facility is located on State Spur 93D from the U. S. Highway #81 bypass on the west edge of York, NE. Or from Interstate 80 take exit #353, then northbound on US Highway #81 and travel 3.5 miles north to Nebraska State Spur #93D. Turn west onto Spur 93D approximately 1/2 mile. Visitor parking is permitted in the lower parking lot.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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Can inmates make or receive telephone calls?
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Inmates may not receive "incoming" telephone calls. All calls made by inmates must be outbound. The facility has a computerized "Inmate Calling System" that allows each inmate to select up to 20 telephone numbers that are approved for her telephone list. She may make collect or "debit" calls to these approved numbers daily between the hours of 6:00 AM to 8:30 PM. Inmates are allowed up to 15 minutes of telephone time per day. All personal calls are monitored and recorded for security purposes. Cellular phone numbers, 800 numbers, and three-way conferencing calls are not allowed. Inmates may contact their attorneys or the courts on a "Confidential Call Telephone" system that is not collect and is not monitored or recorded. If family members are having trouble receiving collect calls from the facility they may contact Correctional Billing Services - Customer Service at 1 - 800 - 844 - 6591 or their local telephone company.
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Can money be sent to inmates?
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Inmates may receive checks or money orders from family and friends as long as the person sending the money is not a parolee, DCS volunteer, a family member of another inmate or on another inmate's visiting list. All checks and money orders must contain the sender's full name and complete address. Checks or money orders that do not meet the above requirements will be placed on the inmate's confiscated account. Cash is not allowed.
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What can inmates receive in the mail?
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Inmates may receive cards, letters, pictures (no Polaroid's, non violent, no nudity, no criminal activity depictions), money orders, checks, magazines, and newspapers in the US Mail. Personal property, cash, envelopes, stamps and jewelry are items that are not allowed through the mail. Inmates may receive books if they are sent directly to the inmate from a publisher or bookstore. They may also receive religious books and publications from churches or religious entities.
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Can inmates attend funerals of family or friends while they are incarcerated?
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Under specific guidelines, inmates may be allowed to attend the funeral of an immediate family member only (spouse, child, mother, father, sister, brother, grandparent). The inmate will be under security escort and will only be allowed to attend the funeral service. The funeral must be held within the State of Nebraska for the inmate to attend. The inmate will be responsible for paying the cost of transportation and escort. The actual cost will be calculated after travel to the funeral and collected from the inmate's institutional account.
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Can inmates be released from prison for family emergencies?
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No, an inmate's sentence is set by the sentencing Judge and by law. The Parole Board has discretion when to parole an inmate but only after they become parole eligible according to law.
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What may I bring when I visit an inmate?
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Minor children (infants to age 5) may bring one toy that is non-metallic, does not resemble a weapon and has no wheels or removable parts. Stuffed animals, dolls and books are not allowed. Infant necessities include disposable diapers, formula (factory sealed) and clear baby bottles.
Adult visitors may bring $15.00 in coins to purchase vending machine candy and pop. No personal property of any kind may be brought into the facility and given to the inmate.
All visitors are subject to a search prior to their visit.
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Additional information on visiting and other program issues can be reviewed in the "Frequent Questions" section of this DCS website. (more)
About the Nebraska Correctional Center For Women:
NCCW, began operation in May, 1920, through an act of the Nebraska State Legislature establishing the "State Reformatory for Women." The original facility consisted of a 2-story house that was used as an inmate and staff residence. The facility was a working dairy farm. The inmates assisted with the livestock. The current institution consists of 17 buildings on 27 acres of land, secured by two security fences. The original house, known as the Cottage, is still being used today as a learning center for the Living Skills Program. NCCW houses all security classification levels of female inmates including those in its Diagnostic and Evaluation Center (D & E). The D & E houses all new commitments. The average stay of a new commitment in the D & E is 30 days. This allows the inmate time to adjust to the institution and to learn about the institution's programs, rules, and regulations. During the evaluation period staff develop a personalized classification plan for the inmate.
NCCW has been accredited by the American Correctional Association since 1981.
History and demographics:
The Nebraska Correctional Center for Women (NCCW) is the only secure
correctional facility for adult women in the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. The facility houses maximum, medium and minimum custody inmates as well as court-ordered evaluators and safekeeper inmates from county jails. The current rated capacity is 275 beds.
NCCW began operation in May, 1920 through an act of the Nebraska Legislature establishing the "State Reformatory for Women". The original facility included a 2 story farmhouse that was used as an inmate dormitory and later as the Superintendant's residence. Two additional three-story brick dormitory buildings were added in 1924 and 1926, both of which are still in use today as program areas. In 2004 the facility completed the first half of a $15 million capital construction project that included the addition of a 76 bed general population living unit, 32 bed residential substance abuse unit, 15 bed segregation unit, 30 bed special needs unit, dining room and food preparation area, staff offices, central laundry, and a new water tower. The second half of the construction project includes the remodeling of several program areas including medical services and education. The anticipated completion date for the project is the Fall of 2009.
NCCW acts as the diagnostic and evaluation center for all newly committed female inmates. The first 30 days of the inmates' incarceration is in an Orientation program which is segregated from the general population. During this program inmates receive medical and mental health evaluations and also learn about the various programming opportunities available to them during their term of incarceration. Each inmate has a personalized classification and programming plan developed to assist them in addressing personal deficiencies.
NCCW was first accredited by the American Correctional Association in 1981 and has been re-accredited every three years since.
Programming:
Parenting Program: The NCCW Parenting Program started in 1974 and was one of the first such programs in the U. S. to be introduced in a women's correctional facility. It includes parenting classes, overnight on-grounds child visits, extended day visits, and a nursery program. Children between the ages of 1 and 6 may spend up to five (5) nights per month with their mothers in a living unit separated from general population. Newborns and children up to the age of 16 may have extended on-grounds day visits in the parenting program area. Inmate mothers must meet all eligibility requirements and must be misconduct free prior to the visits.
In 1994 the Parenting Program expanded to include an on-grounds nursery for babies born to inmate mothers during their incarceration. Pregnant inmates must meet strict eligibility requirements in order to participate. The maximum participation time is generally 18 months. The overall goal of the program is to improve parenting skills and create a positive and nurturing bond between the baby and mother.
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Substance Abuse Treatment: NCCW offers two programs to effectively treat inmates with substance abuse / addiction problems. The residential program is a segregated 40 bed housing unit for inmates who need long term residential treatment. It is designed as a 10 - 12 month, cognitive-behavioral, habilitative program that encourages inmates to accept personal responsibility for their substance abuse and criminal choices. The non-residential program is a 6 month cognitive-behavioral program designed for inmates who live in general population.
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Mental Health: The Mental Health Department offers an assortment of treatment options. Programming changes occur periodically in response to the emotional and psychological needs of the evolving female population. The majority of treatment is in group sessions, however individual counseling is available using a brief therapy model. Psychological services are described in the Mental Health section of the DCS web-page. Additional services provided to the female inmate population include:
- Mood Management Group
- Surviving Adults Living with Sexual Abuse (SALSA) Group:
- Sleep Seminars
- Domestic Violence Seminars
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Education: NCCW has a state accredited Adult Basic Education program with four Nebraska Certified Teachers who assist inmates in obtaining their General Equivalency Diploma (GED). Most classes are taught in the individualized instruction mode since inmates are at various levels in their educational development. GED testing is facilitated by certified instructors. Other educational services include group classes, computer literacy, job-skills instruction, and English - as - a - Second - Language. A graduation ceremony is scheduled annually to honor those inmate students who have earned their GED diploma during their incarceration. College correspondence courses are also available to the inmate at her expense.
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Religious: A full time religious coordinator manages and schedules religious activities and services for inmates. A chapel is available for inmate use. A sweat lodge is also available for Native American services and religious practices. A volunteer program provides Bible study, religious services, and individual religious counseling.
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Work programs: All medically able inmates must attend school or work at an institutional job. Assignments may include employment with Cornhusker State Industries (CSI) which provides job skills in data entry or clothing manufacturing. Additional institutional job assignments include food service, maintenance, grounds keeping, janitorial duties, central laundry, and program aides.
For additional information contact Tim Siemek, Assistant Warden / Public Information Officer at (402) 362-3317, ext. #226. (email address: tim.siemek@nebraska.gov)
Visitation:
The Department of Correctional Services has a very liberal policy for visitation.
Generally any family member or friend may visit as long as they do not have a recent criminal conviction, do not have criminal charges pending, are not on the visiting list of another inmate, are not a former employee, or pose any threat to the safety or security of the facility. Each visitation request is individually reviewed. Individuals wishing to visit an inmate at NCCW must first obtain a "Visitor Request Form" (VRF) from the inmate they are requesting to visit. Anyone over the age of 12 must have their own VRF completed and approved. Minors up to age 19 must have notarized written permission from their parent or guardian to visit and must be accompanied by an approved adult. The completed VRF must be returned to NCCW at the address contained on the form. Do NOT send the form to the inmate. It takes 2 - 3 weeks for the document to be processed. Failure to answer all questions or providing false information will likely result in the denial of visitation privileges. The inmate will notify you if you are approved to visit.
All visitors must leave personal property locked in their vehicle. Only $15 in change, photo identification, car keys, and necessary medication may be brought into the facility. All visitors including children are subject to a search prior to visiting. Occasionally K-9 units, ION scanners and metal detectors are used. Visitors under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs will not be allowed to visit and will be instructed to leave the facility. A list of the rules and regulations for visiting is available from the inmate and may be sent to visitors at the same time as the VRF application. Visiting rules are also posted in the NCCW Visiting Center for review. Failure to follow rules or regulations or any disruptive behavior could result in the termination of the visit and the suspension of visitation privileges.
Hours of Visitation:
General population and Substance Abuse Unit:
- Thursday evening, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Last name beginning with A - M
- Friday evening, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Last name beginning with N - Z
- Saturday, 1:00 PM - 4:15 PM Last name beginning with A - M
- Saturday, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Last name beginning with N - Z
- Sunday, 1:00 PM - 4:15 PM Last name beginning with N - Z
- Sunday, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Last name beginning with A - M
Orientation/D & E Inmates:
- Saturday morning, 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Special Management (Disciplinary, Administrative Confinement, Protective Custody):
- Sunday morning, 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
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