Phone:
(402) 471-3161

The Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP) located in Lincoln, Nebraska is the oldest state correctional facility in Nebraska, opening in 1869. Until after World War I, it was the only adult correctional facility in the state. (more)

Programs: The NSP offers a variety of education/rehabilitation programs designed to enhance an inmate's chances for successful community adjustment upon release. These include Educational/Life Skills and Vocational Programs, Self-Improvement (Mental Health and Control Unit Program), (Residential and Non-residential Substance Abuse Treatment), Residential Treatment Community (RTC), Religious Programming and Self-Betterment Activities), and Support Services (more)

The NSP is the site of major components of the Agency's Cornhusker State Industries (CSI) program. (more)

Security Levels: Maximum, Medium and Minimum Custody.

Visiting Hours for Approved Visitors:

Nebraska State Penitentiary Visiting Procedures

All visitors should verify the inmate's assigned visiting day before traveling to the Institution and must have prior approval from the Administration to visit.

Directions to the Facility:

The Nebraska State Penitentiary in located is Lincoln, Nebraska at the intersection of Highway 2 and 14th Street.

For More Information: Please contact Winfield L. Barber, Public Information Officer at 402-479-3227, or wbarber@dcs.state.ne.us Monday-Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm Central Time.

About the Nebraska State Penitentiary

During 1980-1981, the existing cellblocks constructed during the second half of the 19th century were replaced by four (later five) modular housing units. A new administrative complex and an EPA approved multi-fuel power plant were also completed at the same time. An existing dormitory building constructed in the 1950's was retained as a medium security facility and two new 100 bed dormitory units were opened in 1998. A thirty-six bed control unit also built in the 1950's continues in use as a high security segregation facility. The Industries Plant, Laundry and other support buildings were retained from the older facility as well.

The inmate population at the NSP consists primarily of inmates ranging in age of 21 and above who are serving shorter, medium and longer sentences. The Nebraska State Penitentiary uses the Unit Management concept designed to improve control and staff/inmate relationships by dividing the larger institution population into smaller, more manageable groups and to improve and personalize the delivery of rehabilitative services.

The NSP has been accredited by the American Correctional Association since 1985.

Education:
(Educational services are contracted through Metropolitan Community College of Omaha, Nebraska)

• Adult Basic Education
• College Courses
• English as a Second Language
• General Educational Development (GED)

Life Skills:

• Cognitive Thinking Skills
• Parenting

Vocational:

• Pre-Release Skills Development
• Work Attitudes and Behavior

Self-improvement:

• NRTS (Non-residential Treatment Services)
• Residential Treatment Community
• Mental Health
• Religious Programming (Catholic, Protestant, Native-American, Muslim, Asatru (Odinist), House of Yahweh, Jehovah's Witness, MAAT (Egyptian), Unitarian and Pentecostal)
• Self-Betterment Clubs. (Ethnic/Cultural Awareness, Service and Recreational)
• The Control Unit Program
• K-9 PenPals   for additional information on the K-9 PenPals program contact: NSP-PIO wbarber@dcs.state.ne.us

Other Support Services available to inmates at the NSP include:

• Medical/Dental
• Athletics & Recreation
• Recreation Library/Law Library

Cornhusker State Industries

• Braille
• Furniture production
• Metal fabrication
• License Plate production
• Soap/Detergent manufacturing

CSI products/services are available to any governmental and non-profit entities.

Private Venture

• There are several Private Venture companies located on Prison grounds, etc. These Inmate-employees, in turn, pay State and Federal taxes and contribute to the costs of their "room and board" at the facility. Part of their income goes into a Victim's Reparation Fund, as well as towards financial support of their families or in savings.